Prates Silences Perth: Brazilian Sensation Dismantles Della Maddalena to Enter Title Conversation
Prates Silences Perth: Brazilian Sensation Dismantles Della Maddalena to Enter Title Conversation
May 2, 2026
The Silence of the RAC Arena
PERTH, Australia — The homecoming celebration for Jack Della Maddalena turned into a clinical masterclass for Carlos Prates. In a performance that shifted the tectonic plates of the welterweight division, Prates (24-7) dismantled the former champion in the main event of UFC Fight Night Perth, asserting himself as the most dangerous threat to the 170-pound throne.
The end came at 3:17 of the third round. After nearly fifteen minutes of tactical dissection, a thunderous calf kick from Prates folded Della Maddalena (18-4) like a lawn chair. Referee Mike Beltran moved in swiftly as the Brazilian began his final assault, officially ending the night for the hometown hero and leaving the RAC Arena in a state of stunned disbelief.
A Symphony of Striking Violence
While the finish was sparked by the legs, the victory was built on a foundation of multifaceted violence. Prates utilized a diversified arsenal of kicks, punches, and slicing elbows that left Della Maddalena unrecognizable by the final frame.
Round 1: The most competitive frame of the fight. Della Maddalena found success with his signature boxing and secured a tactical takedown late in the round.
Round 2: The momentum shifted violently. Prates opened a cavernous gash above the Australian’s right eye, painting the canvas red. The Brazilian began a relentless assault on the body, leaving visible hematomas on Della Maddalena’s lower back.
Round 3: With Della Maddalena’s mobility compromised by a battered lead leg, Prates picked his shots with terrifying precision until the final, fight-ending low kick landed.
The victory sets Prates on an inevitable collision course with the reigning welterweight king, Islam Makhachev, who took the title from Della Maddalena this past November.
The Rise of the "Western Australian Wonder"
In the co-main event, the Australian faithful found a reason to cheer as lightweight prospect Quillan Salkilld proved his "rising star" moniker is no hyperbole. Salkilld (12-1) delivered a career-defining performance, stopping veteran contender Beneil Dariush via first-round TKO.
Dariush initially leaned on his grappling pedigree, successfully grounding the young Aussie twice in the opening minutes. However, Salkilld’s composure under pressure was the story of the fight. Once he scrambled back to his feet, Salkilld unleashed a blistering combination that culminated in a thunderous right hook.
"I knew if I could keep it standing for sixty seconds, I’d find the chin," Salkilld said in his post-fight interview.
Salkilld’s 2026 Campaign
| Opponent | Event | Result | Round |
| Jamie Mullarkey | UFC Sydney (Feb) | KO/TKO | 1 |
| Beneil Dariush | UFC Perth (May) | KO/TKO | 1 |
The Contender Series graduate now moves to 5-0 in the UFC, with four of those victories coming via first-round stoppage. As the lightweight division looks for fresh blood to challenge the elite, Salkilld has officially kicked the door down.
