Carlos Prates made a major statement after defeating former welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC Fight Night 275 in Perth, Australia.
After a long trip from Brazil to Australia, Carlos Prates made sure the journey ended with a signature moment. In the main event of UFC Fight Night 275 in Perth, Prates stopped former welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena and then immediately turned his attention to an even bigger target.
Speaking after the win, the surging Brazilian said he wants the winner of a potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry matchup next. That callout matters because the welterweight division is suddenly crowded with new contenders, and Prates clearly sees himself as more than just a dangerous action fighter. He wants to be part of the title conversation.
Prates said the trip from Brazil took 40 hours and made it clear he did not come to Australia just to show up. He praised Della Maddalena, thanked the local fans for the hospitality, and said he believed his more complete striking game made the difference. In his view, Della Maddalena is an excellent boxer, but Prates offers more weapons with knees, elbows, and kicks.
That is the key takeaway from this result. Della Maddalena has long been respected for his clean boxing and composure, but Prates forced a different kind of fight and won it with versatility. For American fans, that is the kind of performance that changes perception fast. A knockout win over a proven name in a headline spot tends to move a fighter from prospect to real factor, especially at welterweight, where one breakout finish can reshape the queue.
Perth also gave the moment extra weight. Australian cards are known for loud, emotionally invested crowds, and beating a home-region favorite there is usually a strong measure of poise. Prates passed that test in emphatic fashion, knocking out Della Maddalena in the third round.
Now the focus shifts to whether UFC matchmakers treat this as a launching pad toward a top contender fight, because after a win like this, Prates is no longer asking for attention—he is demanding it.
