UFC Perth: Date, start time, fight card and where to watch Jack Della Maddalena vs Carlos Prates

Jack Della Maddalena returns to action at UFC Perth for the first time since dropping the welterweight title.

The third Australian to win a title in the UFC faces fellow top-ranked 170lbs star Carlos Prates in the main event of the Fight Night card.

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‘JDM’ was unsuccessful in his first championship defence against Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 last time out, having won the belt for the first time against Belal Muhammad last May.

The 29-year-old is looking to get straight back into the title picture with a win over Prates, who cemented his status as a genuine title contender by viciously knocking out Leon Edwards last time out.

Della Maddalena vs Prates headlines UFC Perth, with electrifying local talent Quillan Salkilld taking on lightweight veteran Beneil Dariush in the chief support act.

Also on the card, Perth’s own Steve Erceg fights Tim Elliott at flyweight, while Gerald Meerschaert, who has the most finishes in UFC middleweight history, above Anderson Silva, features.

UFC Perth: Date and start time

UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates takes place on Saturday, May 2, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

Unlike previous UFC events held Down Under, the Perth card kicks off in the late afternoon local time, meaning fans in the US and UK will have to tune in early on Saturday.

The first fight is set to begin at 4pm AWST (9am UK, 1am PT, 4am ET).

The main card is then scheduled for 7pm AWST (12pm UK, 4am PT, 7am ET).

All of the fights at UFC Perth will stream live on Paramount+ for fans in Australia and the US as part of their regular subscription.

For those in the UK, UFC Perth can be watched live on TNT Sports and HBO Max, with the early action available on UFC Fight Pass.

UFC Perth: Fight card

Main card

Subject to change

• MAIN EVENT: Jack Della Maddalena vs Carlos Prates – Welterweight
• Co-main: Beneil Dariush vs Quillan Salkilld – Lightweight
• Tim Elliot vs Steve Erceg – Flyweight
• Shamil Gaziev vs Brando Pericic – Heavyweight
• Tai Tuivasa vs Sean Sharaf – Heavyweight (Sharaf OUT with fractured nose)

Preliminary card

• Cam Rowston vs Robert Bryczek – Middleweight
• Junior Tafa vs Kevin Christian – Light Heavyweight
• Jacob Malkoun vs Gerald Meerschaert – Middleweight
• Colby Thicknesse vs Vince Morales – Bantamweight
• Benjamin Johnston vs Wes Schultz – Middleweight
• Jonathan Micallef vs Themba Gorimbo – Welterweight
• Dom Mar Fan vs Kody Steele – Lightweight

UFC Perth: What has been said?

On his loss to Makhachev ahead of fight night in Perth, Maddalena told Fox Sports Australia: “Makhachev was the better man, and if I want to be someone like that I’ve got to improve.

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“I’ve got to go out there at the top of my game and be prepared.

“I’ve only watched the fight back a handful of times, and it’s annoying to watch.

“But I definitely know where I need to improve and the things I need to do differently…

“The footwork wasn’t going so I just got stuck right in front of him. He had a good game plan, too…

“I just wish I was more aggressive at certain points and not conceded position.”

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‘JDM’ highlighted that it is his ‘dream’ to get a rematch against Makhachev in the future, adding: “I can’t wait.

“I’ve had some time to work on things and now get the chance to fight at home, in front of those people who have supported me for so long.

“People who don’t necessarily have the chance to travel and watch me fight in places like the US. So this will be cool for them.”

Prates, meanwhile, is eyeing a UFC title shot next ahead of his clash against Della Maddalena.

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“I think that beating a former champion for the second time in a row, and by knockout, will lock in the title shot,” Prates told MMA Fighting.

“There’s no one else for them to give the fight to but me. If everything goes right and I win another bonus, that’ll be eight fights and seven bonuses.

“Come on, who else is there? Is [Michael] Morales going to fight? How? In what way?

“There’s no way. He’s never beaten a former champion. The kid is undefeated, he’s good, but there’s no way.”

UFC Schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.