UFC Fight Night heads to Australia this weekend with a high-stakes welterweight main event pitting former champion and hometown hero Jack Della Maddalena against surging Brazilian contender Carlos Prates.
The event takes place on Saturday at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia and serves as a classic clash between established experience and dangerous finishing power in the 170-pound division.
Della Maddalena brings his elite striking, well-rounded skill set, and proven durability against top competition. At the same time, Prates represents a dangerous new wave with explosive knockout power, improving grappling, and finishing instincts, making for an intriguing stylistic matchup with title implications on the line for the winner.
The co-main event delivers a high-variance lightweight scrap as veteran Beneil Dariush faces surging Aussie prospect Quillan Salkilld. Dariush brings technical grappling, veteran savvy, and experience against top competition, while Salkilld offers explosive striking, power, and momentum, promising fireworks in a matchup that could steal the show.
The card features several intriguing matchups in UFC betting across weight classes, including heavyweight and flyweight bouts, adding depth to what should be an entertaining night of action on Paramount+.
UFC Fight Night Fight Preview
UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs. Prates is scheduled for this Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. Prelims begin at 4:00 AM ET with the main card set for 7:00 PM AWST / 4:00 AM ET. The entire card will be available to stream live on Paramount+.
In the headlining welterweight bout, Carlos Prates enters as a slight favorite in UFC odds at around -120 against Jack Della Maddalena who sits at +102. Della Maddalena’s experience, technical striking, and home crowd advantage in Perth make him the pick for many oddsmakers, though Prates’ knockout power and finishing ability keep this from being a total lock for many analysts.
The co-main event features Beneil Dariush against Quillan Salkilld in a lightweight matchup. Salkilld enters as a favorite around -450, while Dariush sits at +331. Salkilld’s youth, power, and momentum give him the edge for many, but Dariush’s veteran experience and grappling pedigree make this a dangerous spot for the Australian.
Other notable main card bouts include heavyweight and flyweight contests that add intrigue to the evening.
UFC Fight Night Predictions
• The main event between Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates leans toward the hometown veteran, but it’s not without risk given Prates’ explosive finishing ability.
• Della Maddalena is a crafty veteran with sharp striking, well-rounded skills, and the ability to mix in wrestling — but he will be facing a longer, powerful, and dangerous opponent in Prates.
• Prates is disciplined, athletic, and has shown legitimate one-punch knockout power — especially dangerous in front of a raucous home crowd for Della Maddalena.
• A safer angle is backing Della Maddalena by decision, as he possesses superior fight IQ and durability while Prates has been known to leave openings.
• In the co-main event, the sharper lean is toward Quillan Salkilld.
• Dariush is a solid veteran with elite grappling, but Salkilld brings higher finishing upside, explosive power, and unorthodox striking with momentum on his side.
• Salkilld’s ability to end fights early or impose his will gives him the advantage in a fight that has “Fight of the Night” potential.
• A strong value play could be Salkilld inside the distance or the fight not going the distance, given both men’s finishing rates.
• One of the stronger value spots on the card remains Della Maddalena, with potential props on fights not going the distance for added upside in the lighter weight classes.
UFC Fight Night Prime Best Bets: Jack Della Maddalena and Quillan Salkilld
UFC Fight Night Head-to-Head and Key Stats
Main Event: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates
Records & physicals
• Della Maddalena: 18–3–0
• Prates: 23–7–0
• Height: 5'11" vs. 6'1″
• Reach: 73″ (Della Maddalena) vs. 78″ (Prates)
Strikes landed per min
• Della Maddalena: 5.57
• Prates: 3.77
• Striking accuracy: ~51% (Della Maddalena) vs. ~55% (Prates)
Strikes absorbed per min
• Della Maddalena: 3.84
• Prates: 4.53
Defense
• Della Maddalena: 63%
• Prates: 47%
Average fight time
• Della Maddalena: 11:59 (technical, longer wars)
• Prates: 8:48 (more efficient finishes)
Della Maddalena rides solid momentum and home advantage as he looks to make a statement in front of his Australian fans, while Prates aims to prove he belongs among the division’s elite.
