Brazilian striking specialist Carlos Prates has outlined a calculated pathway to UFC welterweight supremacy, with his upcoming May 2 clash against Jack Della Maddalena serving as the pivotal stepping stone. The fighter's vision extends beyond Perth, incorporating strategic coordination with former rival Ian Machado Garry and a potential championship rematch scenario that could reshape the welterweight division.
Setting the Stage for May 2 – A Crucial Milestone
The Significance of Facing Another Former Champion
Prates enters the octagon at UFC Perth with considerable momentum following his emphatic knockout victory over Leon Edwards in November. Della Maddalena, a former champion himself, represents the second consecutive ex-titleholder on Prates' resume—a sequence that strengthens his credentials considerably in title contention discussions.
The main event positioning underscores the promotion's recognition of Prates' trajectory. By defeating back-to-back former champions, particularly with decisive finishes, the Brazilian establishes an undeniable narrative for championship consideration. This isn't merely accumulating wins; it's systematically dismantling the upper echelon of welterweight competition.
Why a Finish Matters More Than a Decision
Prates explicitly targets a knockout bonus alongside victory, understanding that dominance translates directly to marketability and momentum. His aggressive striking approach and finishing ability distinguish him from title contenders who accumulate points through grinding efforts.
A seventh consecutive bonus would represent an extraordinary achievement within the UFC ecosystem, cementing his case beyond statistical accumulation. The fighter reasons that seven bonuses across seven fights creates an undeniable argument for preferential treatment in title matchmaking discussions. As he noted, alternative contenders like Michael Morales lack the championship-level opposition necessary to compete for top-tier positioning.
The Prates-Garry Rematch Blueprint
A Personal Alliance Between Rivals
The narrative between Prates and Garry transcends typical competitive rivalry. Garry holds the distinction of being Prates' only UFC loss—a five-round decision from April 2025—yet the two have established sufficient professional respect to coordinate long-term career planning.
Recent phone conversations between the fighters revealed explicit strategizing regarding their potential path to a championship rematch. Both recognize that Garry faces Islam Makhachev for the vacant title in August, setting up a scenario where victory for the Irishman creates the championship-level rematch both desire. This level of transparency between rivals demonstrates the professional maturity evident among elite welterweights.
Waiting for the Right Moment
Notably, Prates deliberately avoids pursuing an immediate title shot in August, despite being available. His strategic patience reflects realistic assessment of recovery needs and the competitive advantage of facing Makhachev later, should Garry upset the Russian favorite. Prates prioritizes rehabilitation from accumulated injuries over rushing toward a championship bout under potentially disadvantageous circumstances.
This measured approach reveals sophisticated career management. Rather than capitalize on potential short notice opportunities, Prates invests in preparation quality. He seeks adequate training camp time, full injury recovery, and tactical refinement before pursuing the sport's highest prize.
The Championship Puzzle: Islam Makhachev and the Vacant Belt
A Potential Title Change Scenario
Makhachev enters his August return as the overwhelming favorite against Garry, yet Prates openly acknowledges the possibility of an upset. Should Garry capture the vacant title, the rematch scenario gains substantial credibility within promotional discussions. The fighter admits to actively rooting for Garry to defeat Makhachev, recognizing that championship gold transforms their rivalry into the marquee title fight both seek.
This outcome remains uncertain, creating genuine suspense around the division's future trajectory. However, Prates' willingness to publicly support Garry's title bid while competing for positioning demonstrates confidence in the strength of his own credentials.
What Victory Over Maddalena Really Means
The welterweight contender landscape presents limited viable alternatives to Prates. Defeating two consecutive ex-champions, particularly Della Maddalena fresh from championship caliber performances, leaves minimal legitimate bypass routes for promotional decision-makers. The fighter correctly identifies that few credible contenders possess championship experience, making his two-former-champion achievement difficult to dismiss.
This mathematical reality in title contention strengthens Prates' negotiating position. The absence of deep, talented welterweight depth means that bypassing the Brazilian creates promotional headaches and narrative weakness.
Understanding the Opposition: Jack Della Maddalena
The Fallen Champion's Dangerous Position
Della Maddalena's recent trajectory includes championship experience but also losses, establishing a different threat profile than Leon Edwards presented. Former champions entering decline represents a common pattern in combat sports, yet Maddalena distinguished himself through durability at the highest level, competing five rounds with Makhachev without being finished.
This resilience elevates his difficulty tier substantially. Prates acknowledges that defeating Maddalena presents a tougher challenge than Edwards, whose losing streak had preceded their matchup. A fresh, motivated former champion differs significantly from an injury-depleted veteran seeking redemption.
Striking Battle: How Prates Assesses the Challenge
Prates demonstrates technical appreciation for Maddalena's boxing fundamentals while expressing confidence in superior overall striking capacity. The Brazilian emphasizes his diverse arsenal—incorporating knees, kicks, and elbows alongside traditional hand combinations—as advantages over Maddalena's more conventional boxing-centric approach.
He positions himself as the welterweight division's premier striker, though with characteristic professionalism, he acknowledges elite strikers across the sport, citing Alex Pereira and Usman Nurmagomedov as examples. This balanced perspective demonstrates maturity while maintaining championship-level confidence in divisional standing.
The Toughest Test Yet
The May 2 encounter represents Prates' most formidable opponent to date within MMA competition. Edwards, despite his championship pedigree, arrived compromised by injury concerns. Della Maddalena presents no such complications—a dangerous striker facing an elite-level test while motivated to reclaim relevance following recent setbacks.
The Broader Welterweight Landscape
Positioning in a Thin Title Picture
The welterweight division's limited depth works advantageously for Prates. Few fighters have compiled comparable championship-level opposition experience while maintaining undefeated records or compelling winning streaks. His bonus-hunting strategy accomplishes dual purposes: demonstrating striking superiority while accumulating tangible reward acknowledgment from promotional evaluators.
The upcoming May 2 performance carries substantial weight-class implications beyond individual advancement, effectively determining the division's immediate direction.