Jacques della Maddalena, your journey residence begins right here.
Anybody who noticed Della Maddalena battle at UFC 322 could have a tough time shaking off the picture of the then-welterweight champion wincing in discomfort for a lot of the 25-minute foremost occasion, pinned to the mat by Islam Makhachev. That is Della Maddalena’s first title protection and it might be his final for some time if he would not carry out in one other headliner alternative in opposition to Carlos Prates at UFC Perth on Saturday.
It is a essential matchup for each fighters, with Della Maddalena searching for redemption and Prates heading into enemy territory understanding that a formidable efficiency may earn him a championship shot of his personal. Preitz has had an exciting profession within the UFC thus far, successful six of seven fights and incomes a Efficiency of the Night time bonus test with every victory.
Della Maddalena vs. Prates must be a deal with for hitting followers, and on paper, this is without doubt one of the greatest matchups of 2026. Perth, we had a great match right here.
Additionally on the principle card, light-weight veteran Beneil Darish appears to be like to decelerate hard-charging blue chipper Kiran Salkild, whereas Tim Elliott takes on Steve Arce in a cagey flyweight matchup. Marwan Rahiki takes on last-minute featherweight substitute Ollie Schmidt, Shamil Gadzhiev takes on Brando Pericic and the struggling Tai Tuivasa has not one, however two heavyweight bouts with all the things on the road. Louis Sutherland.
the place: RAC Enviornment, Perth, Western Australia
when: Saturday, Could 2nd. The seven-game early preliminary card begins at 4 a.m. ET, adopted by the six-game foremost card at 7 a.m. ET. Your complete occasion will probably be streamed reside on Paramount+.
(The numbers in parentheses point out the rating within the MMA Preventing World Rating and Pound-for-Pound Rating)
Jacques Dela Maddalena (2, P4P-12) vs. Carlos Prates (7)
Perth followers could also be ready for an explosive knockout in the principle occasion, however the final result of a tactical stand-up battle is extra seemingly than an all-out brawl.
Jacques Della Maddalena’s rise to the highest was something however clean. Even earlier than entering into the Octagon, “JDM” was 0-2 to begin his skilled profession. There’s one other world the place he determined MMA wasn’t definitely worth the bother and as an alternative targeted on rugby or one thing. He caught to it, rattling off 10 consecutive Ws and giving it his all within the UFC.
There have been a number of moments that threatened to derail Della Maddalena’s title battle. In opposition to Bashir Hafez and Kevin Holland, the Australian standout was examined in a grueling three-round battle, arising simply quick in opposition to Gilbert Burns earlier than dispatching the perennial title contender with a knee kick late within the third spherical. Then there was a five-round battle with Belal Muhammad, which made Della Maddalena the champion.
All this means that it’s unlikely that Della Maddalena will merely cross Carlos Prates, and vice versa. These two have definitely studied quite a lot of one another’s tape, in order that they’ll be doubly ready for any feints, counters, and counter-counters their opponent deploys. Count on a number of tense and inconclusive clashes, with every fighter coming near ending.
After Della Maddalena’s humiliating loss to Islam Makhachev, I predicted he would enhance by leaps and bounds from his first loss within the UFC. So I am selecting him primarily based on assumptions. I believe he has improved his hitting and protection. If Preetz decides to wrestle, I am guessing he will not permit Preetz to take him down. I believe Della Maddalena’s psychological recreation is stronger than ever. This might all be flawed and Mr. Prates may stay on his again as there are a lot of others.
Della Maddalena wins by knockout in spherical 3.
Beneil Darish (13) vs. Quilan Sarkild
Beneil Dariush, we salute you for what you may have executed and what you’ll do on Saturday evening.
Keep away from hardening the floor. This matchup is meant to introduce Quilan Salkild and formally announce him as a high 15 fighter within the light-weight rankings. Dariush is probably the most expert opponent Salkild has ever confronted, so this may be a significant victory for Salkild, even when Dariusz is previous his prime.
Ability-wise, Dariush nonetheless has what it takes to compete with high 155 gamers, however it’s clear that his reflexes and sturdiness aren’t what they was once. His defensive mindset has at all times been to assault the opponent first, which has introduced him quite a lot of success prior to now, however it’s not a sound technique in opposition to the younger Salkyld. Darish’s jaw will ultimately be examined, however I do not just like the possibilities of it lasting lengthy.
Salkild additionally has the grappling to maintain Dariush at bay, that means there are few paths to victory for Dariush, even contemplating his sizeable expertise benefit. We see Salkild knocking him out first.
Tim Elliott vs. Steve Arseg (14)
Tim Elliott loves enjoying spoilers and goes to offer Steve Arceg quite a lot of bother. The previous UFC title challenger proudly describes his model as “awkward,” and he lives as much as that description each time he goes to a scrap. Whether or not it is his jerky actions or his relentless floor recreation, Elliott will drive Erceg to be the perfect model of himself or threat embarrassment in entrance of his residence crowd.
Thankfully for Erceg, consistency is what issues to him. When Elliott jukes and slides across the cage, his regular demeanor helps keep away from frustration. Though it could be troublesome to mount an assault early on, Erceg’s persistence will repay ultimately as he defeats Elliott. Erceg has a modest however efficient floor recreation and is simply as prone to catch a submission as Elliott, which makes it much more thrilling to see these two battle on the mat.
I really like the matchmaking right here and hate to see both fighter lose, however I believe Erceg made the choice.
Marwan Rahiki vs. Olly Schmidt
That is unusual.
Australia’s Jack Jenkins was initially on this place and was anticipated to supply a tricky problem to the undefeated however unproven Marwan Rahiki. With Jenkins out injured and the unheralded Ollie Schmidt known as up lower than every week later, followers nonetheless have an Australian to root for, however in a far worse place.
To place it bluntly, Schmidt, 25, is way from a UFC-caliber fighter, even contemplating how a lot the bar has lowered in recent times. He’s 4-2, with all however one in every of his wins coming in opposition to an undefeated opponent, and has some beginner expertise. Oh, and he trains at Metropolis Kickboxing. That is about it.
Rahiki ought to have this. However… if Schmidt pulls off the largest upset of the 12 months, will probably be as a result of Rahiki is hitting fairly properly even with an 8-0 file. There’s completely a world the place Schmidt goes for the penniless, slamming Rahiki with the type of unconventional blows you solely see on the native scene, destroying dozens of reckless parlays.
I haven’t got excessive expectations although.
Shamil Gadzhiev vs. Brando Pericic
There’s fairly a conflict of kinds on this heavyweight pairing, with Shamil Gadzhiev vulnerable to energy pictures from lengthy vary, and Brando Pericic at all times able to do his greatest impression as a woodchipper if his opponent will get too shut.
I might wish to know if Peričić will make a transfer right here since he could not have a alternative?Gadzhiev’s latest loss to Waldo Cortez-Acosta occurred as a result of he was too keen, so I anticipate him to be much less aggressive in opposition to the harmful Peričić. Each fighters have one-hit KO energy, however the query is which one can attain the optimum distance first.
It seems like nobody is protected within the heavyweight division in the meanwhile, so whereas Pericic might be one of many division’s shocking risers this 12 months together with Josh Hokit, I am barely leaning in the direction of Gadzhiev. As a result of he faces higher competitors (even when he would not at all times beat them).
Gadzhiev received by KO within the first spherical.
Teevatha vs. Louis Sutherland
You should not. However I am doing it. I select Thai Tuivasa.
One of many issues I’ve loved about this 12 months’s UFC matchmaking is the transparency in reserving squash matches the place it is apparent who’s going to win. Tuivasa ought to win right here. That wasn’t the case in most of Tuivasa’s matches throughout this brutal stoop, however Louis Sutherland is simply as simple to get knocked out as his substitute Shaun Sharaff.
Positive, Sutherland may get a shot off the bat and pull Tuivasa down with one leg, however I do not assume he is explosive sufficient to throw Tuivasa to the canvas. He’ll throw the punches first, and that must be the one opening Tuivasa must do what he finally ends up doing greatest: meathammering guys to the pinnacle.
It takes lower than a minute and Tuivasa will elevate his hand for the primary time in additional than 4 years.
Cam Lawston def. Robert Blicek
Junior Tafa def.Kevin Christian
Jacob Marcon def.Gerald Meerschaert
Colby Illness Definition. vince morales
Ben Johnston def. Wes Schultz
Jonathan Micallef def. Themba Golimbo
Cody Steele did. don mar fan
