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The UFC welterweight division may have a serious new contender, and his name is Carlos Prates. At UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs. Prates, the Brazilian striker delivered a commanding performance, stopping Jack Della Maddalena via third-round TKO in front of a shocked crowd in Perth, Australia.
A Breakthrough Performance in the Welterweight Division
From the opening bell, Prates showed confidence and control. Although Della Maddalena attempted to establish his rhythm early, the Brazilian quickly disrupted his timing. As a result, the fight shifted in Prates’ favor much sooner than expected.
With this victory, Prates improved to 24-7 and extended his UFC record to 7-1. More importantly, all seven wins have come by knockout, highlighting his elite finishing ability. Consequently, his rise in the welterweight rankings now seems impossible to ignore.
Following the fight, Prates made his intentions crystal clear. He called out the winner of a potential clash between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry, signaling his readiness for a title opportunity.
Technical Breakdown: How Prates Took Control
Initially, Della Maddalena looked to use wrestling to neutralize the striking threat. In fact, he secured an early takedown. However, Prates quickly returned to his feet each time, effectively shutting down that strategy.
Once the fight remained standing, the momentum completely changed. Prates began to land clean and powerful strikes while maintaining composure. In addition, his varied attack made it difficult for his opponent to predict the next move.
He relied on a diverse striking arsenal, including:
- Heavy calf kicks
- Precise body shots
- Explosive knees
- Sharp elbows and punches
Meanwhile, Della Maddalena struggled to mount consistent offense. Even though he landed occasional counters, they failed to slow Prates down. As the rounds progressed, the damage became increasingly visible.
By the end of Round 2, Prates had clearly taken control. A combination of elbows and knees left Della Maddalena hurt, and a powerful calf kick dropped him late in the round. Therefore, the outcome began to feel inevitable.
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Round 3: A Dominant Finish
Entering the third round, Prates wasted no time increasing the pressure. A step-in elbow opened a cut above Della Maddalena’s eye, forcing concern among commentators. At that moment, Michael Bisping even remarked that the fight was becoming difficult to watch.
Shortly afterward, a high kick slipped through the guard and sent Della Maddalena to the canvas. Although he attempted to recover, Prates continued the assault with relentless aggression. A series of elbows followed by a crushing knee ultimately ended the fight.
Finally, referee Mike Beltran stepped in at 3:17 of Round 3, confirming the TKO victory.
An Emotional Moment for Prates
Beyond the result, the moment carried deep emotional significance. Prates’ 73-year-old mother traveled from Brazil to witness the fight live. In addition, she met his six-year-old daughter—who lives in Australia—for the very first time.
Because of this, the victory meant far more than just another win.
“I trained so hard for this,” Prates said. “I brought many people with me, and I couldn’t let them go home disappointed.”
What’s Next for Carlos Prates?
With this dominant performance, Prates has firmly entered the title conversation. Furthermore, his knockout power and confidence make him a dangerous matchup for any opponent in the division.
If the rumored bout between Makhachev and Garry takes place in August, Prates has already positioned himself as the next challenger. Notably, Garry remains the only fighter to defeat him in the UFC, which could add extra intrigue to a potential rematch.
Other Results from UFC Fight Night
In addition to the main event, the card delivered several exciting finishes:
- Quillan Salkilld def. Beneil Dariush via first-round TKO
- Steve Erceg def. Tim Elliott via unanimous decision
- Marwan Rahiki def. Ollie Schmid via first-round TKO
- Brando Pericic def. Shamil Gaziev via second-round TKO
- Louie Sutherland def. Tai Tuivasa via unanimous decision
Overall, Carlos Prates has transformed from a rising prospect into a serious title contender. His ability to control fights, adapt strategies, and finish opponents sets him apart in a highly competitive division.
If this momentum continues, he could soon make history as Brazil’s first UFC welterweight champion.
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