UFC Perth fight card set for May 2: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

UFC Perth lands at RAC Arena on May 2 with Jack Della Maddalena facing Carlos Prates in a welterweight main event, as MMA Mania first reported. The card streams on Paramount+ with prelims kicking off at 4 a.m. ET and the main card at 7 a.m. ET for fans watching from the U.S.

Della Maddalena, who dethroned Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 before dropping the title to Islam Makhachev last November, fights in front of a home crowd in Western Australia. Prates brings a six-fight UFC finishing streak into the bout, having knocked out Leon Edwards and Geoff Neal in his last two appearances after a decision loss to Ian Garry.

Della Maddalena predicts late finish

The Australian expects a high-output scrap from the opening bell. “We both sort of get into a flow… Both of us get into a violent flow,” Della Maddalena told MMA Junkie. “I think it’s gonna be fireworks. There’s definitely not gonna be much dancing around. I think the first minute we’re definitely gonna engage. We’re gonna engage and see who’s the better fighter and then build into the five rounds… I think I’m gonna take him out fifth round. I’m gonna get the finish deep in the fight.”

The main card also features Beneil Dariush against Quillan Salkilld at lightweight, Tim Elliott meeting Steve Erceg at flyweight, and two heavyweight clashes. Shamil Gaziev faces Brando Pericic, while Tai Tuivasa looks to snap a six-fight skid against Louie Sutherland, per Sherdog.

Seven prelim bouts round out the card, including middleweights Jacob Malkoun and Gerald Meerschaert. Bantamweights Vince Morales and Colby Thicknesse also feature on the early portion before the main card begins at 7 a.m. ET.

Photo: Sexto Round / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Original reporting:

• mmamania.com — UFC Perth fight card, start time, date and location | Jack Della vs. Prates | MMA Mania
• sherdog.com — Jack Della Maddalena makes prediction for UFC Perth main event