Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

UFC Perth brought a star-studded crowd to RAC Arena on Saturday night, with West Coast Eagles midfielder Harley Reid heading cageside soon after his team’s AFL loss to Richmond Tigers at Optus Stadium.

Reid arrived with West Coast Eagles teammate Harry Schoenberg about half an hour before the main card, which was headlined by Perth fighter Jack Della Maddalena against Brazilian contender Carlos Prates.

For more combat sports coverage, read our Quillan Salkilld vs Beneil Dariush preview as another Perth fighter looks to move closer to the lightweight title picture.

AFL Names Arrive Cageside

Harley Reid and Harry Schoenberg had earlier played in West Coast Eagles’ 11-point defeat to Richmond Tigers in front of more than 46,000 fans.

They were joined at RAC Arena by Fremantle Dockers trio Luke Jackson, Sean Darcy and Jaeger O’Meara.

Sean Darcy remains sidelined with a calf injury, while Jaeger O’Meara arrived with visible bruising after surgery on facial injuries suffered at training last month.

The crossover crowd added to the big-fight feel in Perth, where local fans turned out strongly for the first Saturday night prime time UFC card held in Australia.

Jack Della Maddalena Headlines Perth Card

Jack Della Maddalena carried local interest into the main event against Carlos Prates, with a near sell-out crowd behind the former welterweight champion.

Perth athletes Steve Erceg and Quillan Salkilld were also part of the card, giving Western Australian fight fans several homegrown names to follow.

UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg was another major name at cageside, weeks after becoming the latest Australian to win gold in the promotion.

Carlos Ulberg is facing time out after injuring his knee in that title fight.

Fans can follow official fight results and event updates through the UFC website.