Carlos Prates left no doubt, his next fight should be for the UFC welterweight championship. On Saturday in Perth, Australia, Prates delivered a beating of epic proportions to Jack Della Maddalena, sending the crowd home unhappy as they watched their former champion pounded out via third-round TKO.

Prates' masterful and savage victory should make him the No. 1 contender, and it should also put him in line to fight the winner of the Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry fight. Prates' victory earned him one of the performance bonuses capping an event that featured seven wins by finish.

What Happened in the UFC Perth Main Event?

Maddalena had brief success in the first after he secured a takedown. However, Prates' systematically broke JDM down attacking him on all levels. The Brazilian battered the former champion's nose, legs and mid-section en route to the decisive win.

Carlos Prates (24-7, 7-1 UFC ) closed the show in Round 3 at the 3:17 mark with a finishing sequence that included a step-knee, a head kick, and a final flurry of leg kicks and ground strikes that forced referee Mike Beltran to wave it off. Jack Della Maddalena (18-4, 8-2 UFC) drops his second straight after losing the welterweight crown to Islam Makhachev in November 2025.

Who Won the Co-Main and Main Card Bouts?

With all due respect to Quillan Salkild, who is a fantastic young fighter, Beneil Dariush likely needs to hang up his gloves. He suffered yet another devastating TKO loss and ate serious punishment along the way.

Quillan Salkilld (12-1, 5-0 UFC) needed just one round to put Beneil Dariush (23-8-1, 17-8 UFC) away, scoring a TKO at 3:29 of the first. Brando Peričić outlasted Shamil Gaziev in a heavyweight slugfest, Steve Erceg outpointed Tim Elliott by unanimous decision, and the rest of the card delivered finishes at a steady clip.

  • Carlos Prates def. Jack Della Maddalena via TKO (Round 3, 3:17)
  • Quillan Salkilld def. Beneil Dariush via TKO (Round 1, 3:29)
  • Steve Erceg def. Tim Elliott via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Marwan Rahiki def. Ollie Schmid via TKO (Round 1, 2:47)
  • Brando Peričić def. Shamil Gaziev via KO (Round 2, 3:44)
  • Louie Sutherland def. Tai Tuivasa via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
  • Cam Rowston def. Robert Bryczek via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Junior Tafa def. Kevin Christian via KO (Round 1, 2:42)
  • Jacob Malkoun def. Gerald Meerschaert via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Colby Thicknesse def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Wes Schultz def. Ben Johnston via submission (guillotine choke, Round 3, 1:50)
  • Jonathan Micallef def. Themba Gorimbo via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Kody Steele def. Dom Mar Fan via submission (heel hook, Round 1, 3:56)

What Were the UFC Perth Bonus Winners?

Joining Prates in the $100,000 bonus club was Salkild and heavyweights Shamil Gaziev and Peričić for their efforts in a clash that won Fight of the Night.

Performance of the Night went to Prates and Salkilld, while Peričić and Gaziev took Fight of the Night honors. Several other fighters earned the standard $25,000 finish bonus on the night, with seven of the card's bouts ending inside the distance.

What's Next After UFC Perth?

While Garry will get the first shot at Makhachev, Prates has seemingly locked up his shot at the winner. JDM's situation is obviously not as shiny.

He's now lost two in a row and both were lopsided defeats. Makhachev manhandled him and Prates destroyed him. He now sits miles away from the title he held just a short time ago.

For Salkilld, a top-15 lightweight matchup looks like the natural next step at 5-0 in the promotion. Dariush, with this being another devastating finish loss, faces real questions about his future in the sport.