The UFC heads back to Perth for another Fight Night card, and while the lineup has its flaws, the top of the event delivers one of the most compelling welterweight matchups of the year.
Jack Della Maddalena returns home looking to defend his place among the elite against surging knockout machine Carlos Prates in a main event that feels significantly bigger than the rest of the card combined.
The event itself is extremely top heavy. Several fighters enter the night on brutal losing streaks, while others are still trying to prove they belong at UFC level. But despite some questionable matchmaking lower on the card, there are still a handful of genuinely intriguing fights.
One of the biggest storylines revolves around rising lightweight prospect Quillan Salkilld, who many already view as a future ranked contender. The Australian prospect gets the biggest opportunity of his career against veteran and now gatekeeper Beneil Dariush in a matchup that could launch him straight into the lightweight rankings.
Meanwhile, Tai Tuivasa enters the event with enormous pressure on his shoulders. The fan favorite heavyweight is currently riding a six fight losing streak and desperately needs a win against Louie Sutherland to keep his UFC career alive.
As for the best fight outside the main event, the flyweight matchup between Tim Elliott and Steve Erceg could quietly steal the show. The veteran chaos of Elliott matched against Erceg’s technical boxing and scrambling ability makes it one of the most interesting stylistic battles on the card.
Where and when to watch
This is one for the early birds. So set your alarm if you live in the US.
UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates in Perth takes place on on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the RAC Arena. The main card begins at 7:00 PM AWST (Perth local time), with preliminary fights starting at 4:00 PM AWST.
Global Start Times (Saturday, May 2, 2026):
- Perth (AWST): Prelims 4:00 PM | Main Card 7:00 PM
- US East Coast (ET): Prelims 4:00 AM | Main Card 7:00 AM
- US West Coast (PT): Prelims 1:00 AM | Main Card 4:00 AM
- UK (BST): Prelims 9:00 AM | Main Card 12:00 PM
The event is available to stream on Paramount+.
Main Prelim: Cam Rowston vs Robert Bryczek
This is where the card really starts getting interesting. While some of the earlier matchups feel uneven, this one has all the ingredients for a high level middleweight battle. Stylistically, it could easily end up being one of the most entertaining fights of the entire event.
Robert Bryczek brings nonstop pressure and dangerous boxing combinations. Once he gets opponents backing toward the cage, his shot placement becomes extremely dangerous. He throws with real intent and constantly forces exchanges.
But Cam Rowston presents a very difficult style to pressure cleanly.
Rowston’s range could be the difference
Rowston is a long, technical striker with solid kickboxing fundamentals. He measures range well behind the lead hand and fires sharp right hands down the middle once opponents step into range.
The calf kicks could become especially important in this matchup.
Even in previous fights, Bryczek has shown vulnerability to leg attacks, and Rowston has the kind of kicking game capable of exploiting that weakness early. If he can consistently damage the lead leg while maintaining distance, it could slow Bryczek’s pressure considerably.
The grappling factor
Rowston does not necessarily need to dominate wrestling exchanges, but mixing in occasional takedowns could completely disrupt Bryczek’s rhythm. Fighters who pressure heavily often struggle when they have to constantly think about level changes.
That combination of distance striking and opportunistic wrestling makes Rowston a tricky opponent to solve.
The danger Bryczek still brings
Even with the stylistic concerns, Bryczek remains extremely dangerous. If he manages to trap Rowston near the cage consistently, the fight could change quickly. Bryczek thrives in close range exchanges where he can unload combinations and overwhelm opponents with pressure.
One mistake in space from Rowston, or one prolonged exchange against the fence, could completely swing momentum toward Bryczek.
Prediction
Cam Rowston def. Robert Bryczek via second round TKO
Rowston’s movement, range management, and calf kicks should allow him to control most of the striking exchanges early. Bryczek will have dangerous moments whenever he closes distance, but Rowston’s cleaner technique and ability to counter pressure should eventually lead to a stoppage in the second round.
Odds
- Cam Rowston -180
- Robert Bryczek +150
Tai Tuivasa vs Louie Sutherland
Heavyweight bout: Tai Tuivasa vs. Louie Sutherland
This is a make or break fight for Tai Tuivasa. The Australian heavyweight enters the matchup on a brutal six fight losing streak, one of the longest active skids in the UFC today. Just a few years ago, Tuivasa looked like a legitimate contender after knockout wins over names like Derrick Lewis and Andrei Arlovski.
Now, he is fighting to keep his UFC career alive. What makes the situation even more surprising is his age. Tuivasa is still only 33, which is relatively young for a heavyweight. But the damage from years of wars inside the octagon appears to be catching up to him. His movement, durability, and confidence have all looked different during this losing streak.
Why the matchup favors Tuivasa
Stylistically, this is probably one of the better matchups Tuivasa has received in a while.
Louie Sutherland accepted the fight on short notice after the original opponent withdrew. While Sutherland is experienced and durable, he does not possess the overwhelming athleticism or dangerous pressure that troubled Tuivasa against elite heavyweights.
Sutherland has decent power and respectable kicks, but there is nothing particularly dynamic about his striking game. Tuivasa has fought much harder hitters and far more dangerous finishers throughout his career.
That experience should matter here. Tuivasa still throws faster combinations, attacks the legs effectively, and remains dangerous in pocket exchanges. If he pressures forward and forces Sutherland into firefights, the Australian should have the edge physically and technically.
The crowd factor in Perth
Fighting at home in Perth could also become a huge emotional boost for Tuivasa. Few fighters feed off crowd energy like he does. If he starts landing early, the arena will explode, and momentum could quickly swing in his favor. A vintage Tuivasa performance would instantly change the conversation around his career again.
Prediction
Tai Tuivasa def. Louie Sutherland via second round TKO
Sutherland should have some success early with range and volume, but Tuivasa’s pressure, calf kicks, and heavier shots will likely take over as the fight progresses. Expect the Australian to overwhelm Sutherland in exchanges and score a much needed stoppage victory in front of his home crowd.
Shamil Gaziev vs. Brando Peričić
This is a much more interesting heavyweight fight than some of the other matchups on the card. Shamil Gaziev may not always look like the cleanest or most technical striker, but the power is very real. For a heavyweight pushing over 300 pounds, his hand speed can be surprisingly deceptive, especially with the right hand.
Gaziev’s right hand might get the job done early
That straight right is the key weapon in this matchup. Gaziev throws it with excellent timing, and when opponents drift into range carelessly, he can shut the lights out quickly. Even when his technique looks a little rough around the edges, the danger never fully disappears because of the sheer force behind his punches.
Stylistically, this matchup feels favorable for Brando Peričić
Peričić trains out of City Kickboxing alongside fighters like Israel Adesanya, and you can see the influence in his striking. He is aggressive, technical, and likes to pressure opponents early while forcing them into uncomfortable exchanges.
He already showed serious finishing ability by knocking out Louis Sutherland in the first round, and his style feels built to trouble someone like Gaziev.
Technically, Peričić is the cleaner striker
The biggest factor will be discipline. If Peričić rushes recklessly into exchanges, Gaziev’s counter right hand could end the fight instantly. But if he stays measured behind the jab, attacks the legs with calf kicks, and forces Gaziev to reset repeatedly, the openings should start appearing.
He moves better, sets up combinations more effectively, and throws with more variety. Against a slower heavyweight like Gaziev, those advantages could become very noticeable once the pace increases.
Prediction
Brando Peričić def. Shamil Gaziev via first round KO
Gaziev will remain dangerous early because of his power and timing, especially with the right hand. But if Peričić survives the initial exchanges, his speed, calf kicks, and technical pressure should overwhelm the bigger heavyweight quickly. Expect a fast paced firefight ending with Peričić landing a clean finishing combination in the opening round.
Marwan Rahiki vs. Ollie Schmid
This is one of the more intriguing fights on the main card, even if both fighters are still relatively unknown to casual fans.
Marwan Rahiki impressed in his UFC debut against Harry Hardwick, showcasing sharp counters, dangerous leg kicks, and explosive striking combinations. He is a fast, aggressive featherweight who clearly has real offensive talent. But the performance also revealed a few weaknesses.
Rahiki can get reckless
Rahiki can sometimes get a little reckless during exchanges. Hardwick managed to land clean shots throughout portions of the fight, and there were moments where Rahiki’s aggression left openings defensively. He is exciting to watch, but still feels somewhat raw. That makes this matchup interesting against someone as composed as Ollie Schmid.
Schimid comes with City Kickboxing style
Schmid brings a much more disciplined striking style into the cage. The technical kickboxing influence is obvious, especially with his distance management, feints, and movement off the back foot. He fights with patience and rarely overcommits, which could frustrate a fighter like Rahiki who prefers fast paced exchanges.
There are also visible similarities to the style developed at City Kickboxing. Schmid uses angles well, mixes stance switches effectively, and attacks with clean setups rather than pure aggression. Stylistically, that approach could create problems for Rahiki.
Short notice favours Rahiki
The issue is the short notice factor. Schmid accepted this fight on only a few days’ notice, which becomes a massive challenge against a high pace striker like Rahiki. Even if the technical matchup is competitive, conditioning and preparation could become major problems late in the fight.
If Schmid had a full training camp, this fight would feel much closer on paper.
Prediction
Marwan Rahiki def. Ollie Schmid via third round TKO
Schmid should have moments early with his cleaner technique and disciplined counters. But Rahiki’s pace, pressure, and explosiveness will likely become too much over three rounds. Expect Rahiki to gradually overwhelm the newcomer and find a late stoppage.
Odds
TBA
Tim Elliott vs. Steve Erceg
It is still hard to believe how well Tim Elliott is performing this late into his career. At 39 years old, Elliott continues to frustrate younger fighters with his chaotic style, nonstop scrambling, and relentless pace. He enters this matchup on a two fight win streak after submission victories over Kai Asakura and Sumudaerji, while also owning recent wins against Victor Altamirano and Tagir Ulanbekov.
The only loss on his recent resume came against elite contender Muhammad Mokaev, which is hardly something to criticize.
Elliott’s Grappling is a challenge for any opponent
Elliott’s style remains one of the most difficult in the division to prepare for. He constantly changes stances, shoots takedowns from awkward angles, and turns every exchange into a scramble. Even when he loses positions, he often creates chaos that drags opponents into uncomfortable fights.
But stylistically, this feels like a strong matchup for Steve Erceg.
After briefly falling into a three fight skid, Erceg bounced back with a win over Ode Osbourne and still looks like one of the cleaner technical boxers in the flyweight division.
More importantly, Erceg has already shown he can survive high level grappling exchanges. Against champion Alexandre Pantoja, Erceg scrambled extremely well and repeatedly worked his way back to the feet. Many fans even believed he did enough to win portions of those grappling exchanges. That experience could become crucial against Elliott’s nonstop wrestling attack.
Erceg with the physical advantages
Physically, Erceg also has clear advantages. He is taller, longer, and sharper on the feet. His boxing combinations are cleaner, his timing is better, and unlike some of Elliott’s recent opponents, he should not be overwhelmed by the pace or unpredictability.
Elliott will almost certainly create messy moments throughout the fight. He is too experienced and too awkward not to. But every successful scramble that ends with Erceg standing back up should slowly tilt the fight in the Australian’s favor.
If the fight spends extended periods at striking range, Erceg’s technical edge could become very noticeable.
Prediction
Steve Erceg def. Tim Elliott via unanimous decision
Elliott should make the fight chaotic early with constant movement, takedown attempts, and scrambles. But Erceg’s composure, size, and sharper boxing will allow him to control the cleaner moments of the fight and gradually pull ahead on the scorecards.
Odds
- Tim Elliott +220
- Steve Erceg -270
Co-main event: Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld
This matchup feels brutal. It looks like the UFC, as is so often the case, is using a respected veteran as a stepping stone for one of Australia’s fastest rising prospects.
Beneil Dariush is currently in gatekeeper status
Beneil Dariush enters the fight at a difficult point in his career. The longtime lightweight contender is coming off a disastrous 16 second knockout loss to Benoit Saint Denis, and before that he suffered stoppage losses against both Arman Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira.
There was a time when Dariush looked like a legitimate title threat. His pressure, grappling, and awkward striking helped him put together one of the best win streaks in the division. But lately, the speed and durability just do not look the same anymore. He has become more of a gatekeeper for the division.
Quillan Salkilld is on a streak!
Meanwhile, Quillan Salkilld looks like a future ranked contender. The Australian prospect is riding an 11 fight win streak and has already shown serious finishing ability inside the UFC. He submitted Jamie Mullarkey, brutally knocked out Nazim Sadykhov, and flattened Jubilee in just 19 seconds. The guy has power, composure, and a complete skill set. Physically, he also looks massive for lightweight at six feet tall with long range striking and excellent timing.
The danger for Dariush is that Salkilld checks almost every box stylistically. He can fight at range behind the jab, throw hard straight shots down the middle, and punish entries with knees or kicks. Dariush tends to pressure forward aggressively when he gets desperate, and that could play directly into Salkilld’s counter striking.
Can Dariush grapple his way to victory?
There is still one path to victory for the veteran though. Dariush remains an excellent grappler. His scrambling ability and submission game are still dangerous, especially against younger fighters who overextend. Experience and technique do not disappear overnight.
The problem is getting the fight there consistently. Historically, Dariush has been better at defending takedowns and scrambling than forcing offensive wrestling. Against a younger, stronger athlete like Salkilld, that could become a major issue over time.
If the fight stays standing for extended stretches, the speed and power difference will likely become obvious.
Prediction
Quillan Salkilld def. Beneil Dariush via second round KO
Dariush should have moments early, especially if he can create grappling exchanges. But eventually, Salkilld’s range management and striking power will take over. Expect the Australian to hurt Dariush with a head kick or straight counter before closing the show with follow up shots.
Odds
- Beneil Dariush +350
- Quillan Salkilld -450
Main event: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates
Fighting in front of a home crowd in Perth, Jack Della Maddalena steps into the biggest striking matchup of his career against one of the most dangerous finishers the welterweight division has ever seen.
Carlos Prates has turned into a nightmare matchup for almost everyone at 170 pounds. Six UFC fights. Six knockouts. Not late stoppages after accumulation either. Clean, devastating finishes that leave opponents unconscious. Leon Edwards became the latest victim when Prates became the first man to knock him out in MMA.
Power and range favor the Brazillian
The Brazilian’s power feels different from almost anyone else in the division. Some fighters carry knockout power. Prates carries the kind of power that completely changes fights with one shot.
He is also massive for the weight class. At the faceoffs, the size difference immediately stands out. Prates is taller, longer, and visibly thicker than Della Maddalena. Reports suggest Prates now walks around close to 198 pounds, while JDM sits closer to 190. That reach and physicality could become a major factor over five rounds.
JDM still has the tools
Still, dismissing Della Maddalena would be a mistake. JDM remains one of the cleanest boxers in the UFC. His pressure, body work, and pocket combinations are elite. He breaks opponents down round after round with precise combinations and constant forward movement. When he traps fighters near the cage, he becomes extremely dangerous.
The problem is the matchup itself: Prates has all the tools needed to punish aggressive pressure fighters. The calf kicks are a huge concern for Della Maddalena, especially after Islam Makhachev badly compromised his lead leg in previous exchanges. Against another southpaw striker like Prates, those kicks could once again become a major issue.
When JDM switches orthodox, the danger changes instead of disappearing. Prates attacks the body with knees and kicks, fires straight counters down the middle, and constantly threatens with elbows in close range. His striking arsenal is incredibly diverse.
And unlike many knockout artists, his power remains dangerous deep into fights. Even in the fifth round against Ian Machado Garry, Prates nearly found the finish after badly hurting him late. That loss remains the biggest criticism of his UFC run because he had Garry in trouble and could not close the show. Since then, Prates has looked even more ruthless.
Can JDM avoid the big power shot?
The biggest question is whether Della Maddalena can avoid that one fight changing shot for 25 minutes.
Technically, JDM may be the sharper boxer. But Prates is faster on the outside, more explosive at range, and far more dangerous in open space. Della Maddalena tends to pressure forward in straight lines at times, and against a sniper like Prates, that creates serious risks.
Ian Machado Garry showed the blueprint to survive against Prates. He mixed in wrestling and avoided prolonged striking exchanges. Della Maddalena has solid defensive grappling, but he has not shown the kind of offensive wrestling needed to consistently slow Prates down.
That likely forces this fight into extended striking exchanges, and that is exactly where Prates becomes terrifying.
Prediction
Carlos Prates def. Jack Della Maddalena via third round TKO
Della Maddalena should have success early with pressure boxing and body shots. But eventually, Prates’ movement, calf kicks, and counter striking will create openings. Expect the Brazilian to hurt JDM with a clean counter before finishing the fight with follow up shots on the ground.
Odds
- Jack Della Maddalena +100
- Carlos Prates -120
UFC Perth prelim picks
The prelims in Perth might actually deliver more action than parts of the main card. There are several fighters entering with pressure on their backs, while a few several prospects could quietly steal the show.
Dom Mar Fan vs. Kody Steele
This is honestly one of the better fights on the prelims. Both fighters are well rounded, but the difference could come down to composure and fight IQ. Dom Mar Fan looks like the cleaner striker technically and does a much better job staying disciplined during exchanges.
Kody Steele is dangerous because of his wrestling and power, but he gets reckless at times. He tends to overcommit on the right hand and leaves himself open defensively, something that has already gotten him hurt multiple times in previous fights.
Prediction
Dom Mar Fan def. Kody Steele via unanimous decision
Jonathan Micallef vs. Themba Gorimbo
Jonathan Micallef probably has the better jiu-jitsu and stronger finishing ability on the ground, but the early rounds could get dangerous.
Gorimbo is faster, explosive, and throws a dangerous overhand counter. The issue is that he tends to lose composure if the shot is not landing consistently, and cardio has become a problem for him in longer fights.
If Micallef survives the first round cleanly, the momentum could shift heavily in his favor.
Prediction
Jonathan Micallef def. Themba Gorimbo via unanimous decision
Ben Johnston vs. Wes Schultz
Ben Johnston fights long and relies heavily on his kicking game. His calf kicks and straight counters should create major problems for Wes Schultz, who tends to look awkward and desperate when pressured.
Schultz has decent wrestling, but Johnston’s ability to get back to his feet could neutralize that advantage.
Prediction
Ben Johnston def. Wes Schultz via third round TKO
Colby Thicknesse vs. Vince Morales
Vince Morales badly needs a win after multiple losses, but stylistically this feels rough for him.
Colby Thicknesse constantly mixes striking and takedowns together, creating chaotic exchanges that are difficult to read. Morales has struggled defending wrestling pressure in previous fights, and Thickness is exactly the type of opponent who can exploit that.
Prediction
Colby Thicknesse def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision
Jacob Malkoun vs. Gerald Meerschaert
Gerald Meerschaert still has dangerous grappling, but the durability concerns are impossible to ignore now.
Jacob Malkoun should have a major edge in boxing and physical pressure. If Meerschaert cannot consistently force grappling exchanges, standing in front of Malkoun for extended periods could end badly.
Prediction
Jacob Malkoun def. Gerald Meerschaert via first round TKO
Junior Tafa vs. Kevin Christian
Neither fighter inspires much confidence overall, especially defensively.
Junior Tafa has struggled badly against grapplers, but this matchup likely stays on the feet where he has a major advantage in experience and striking fundamentals.
Kevin Christian relies heavily on reach and can look technically messy under pressure.
Prediction
Junior Tafa def. Kevin Christian via first round KO