Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
The upcoming Jack Della Maddalena UFC Fight Night in Perth serves as a vital redemption arc for the West Australian after a humbling summer in New York.
Della Maddalena returns to the Octagon this Saturday at RAC Arena to headline against the dangerous Carlos Prates, looking to climb back into the welterweight championship picture.
The stakes are sky high for the local hero, as fans keep a close eye on major MMA developments following his recent title defeat at Madison Square Garden.
Overcoming the Makhachev Shadow
Della Maddalena admitted that his short lived reign as welterweight king ended in a way that left a lasting mental toll.
After being outgrappled by Islam Makhachev, the former champion spent his time in New York City processing the technical failures of the bout.
"It haunted me for a few nights, for sure," Della Maddalena said. "It wasn't the best performance. We had to go back, look what went wrong, and fix those things."
Tactical Adjustments and Recovery
The 2025 upset of Belal Muhammad feels like a distant memory as Della Maddalena focuses on refining the grappling defense that failed him against the master.
He noted that his emotional state and lack of footwork were key factors that prevented him from implementing his usual striking game.
"I think I was just too emotional going into it, but they're the things you sort of take away, come back better," he explained.
To clear his head, the fighter turned to a classic New York remedy: "I just ate a lot of pizza in New York. I just sort of ate my way through the city and then got home."
A Stacked Perth Card
The Saturday event features a deep lineup of Australian talent, including rising lightweight Quillan Salkilld taking on veteran Beneil Dariush.
Hometown favorite Steve Erceg also looks to continue his momentum against Tim Elliott, while heavyweights Tai Tuivasa and Brando Pericic fill out the main card.
However, the headline clash remains the priority, with the No. 5 ranked Carlos Prates bringing 18 career knockouts into the cage as a major threat.
For official weigh-in results and the full broadcast schedule, fans can visit the official UFC website.