UFC Perth live blog: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates

This is the live blog for Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates, the welterweight main event for Saturday’s UFC Perth card at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

A former welterweight champion, Maddalena looks to rebound from his title loss to Islam Makhachev in November, which snapped his 18-fight winning streak. Prior to that setback, the Australian talent was 8-0 inside the octagon with half of those coming by way of knockout.

Prates, on the other hand, attempts to secure another victory to possibly earn a shot at the 170-pound belt. The Brazilian star is 6-1 in the promotion with a 100 percent knockout rate and cashed bonuses for every single one of his victories, including a November stoppage over ex-champion Leon Edwards.

Check out the Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates live blog below.

Preamble

UFC Perth hasn’t been that great, especially if you woke up early (or didn’t sleep at all) for the early prelims), but at least we got a legendary beer snake.

Make no mistake about it, though, big stakes in this five-round main event. Can Prates fold another former champion? Will Maddalena get back on the horse after a dominant loss to Makhachev?

Local fighters went 8-4 so far in Perth, and we’re moments away from finding out if JDM can join the party.

Walkouts and Pre-Fight

Prates walks out to the cage but first stops by to greet his family octagon-side. It’s the first time his mother Regina flew outside of Brazil to watch him live — and his 6-year-old daughter Skylar is also in attendance. This is enemy territory, but Corinthians fans have been very loud all week to support the Brazilian in Perth.

Maddalena walks out to “T.N.T” of Australia’s own AC/DC and the crowd goes nuts, singing along. They stare at each other from across the cage and NEARLY COME TO BLOWS before being announced. Wow! The arena is electric. This should be a fun one.

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5