MMA
Della Maddallena can make home fans proud
Check out William Hill News’ predictions for this weekend’s UFC Fight Night, where the main event is a welterweight bout where former champion Jack Della Maddellena looks to reclaim his title-contender status against Carlos “The Nightmare” Prates at the RAC Arena.
All eyes turn to Australia as hometown favourite Jack Della Maddallena faces dangerous finisher Carlos Peates in a high-stakes welterweight main event.
Jack Della Maddallena (EVS)
Jack Della Maddalena has been one of the UFC’s most impressive welterweight risers, building a reputation as a composed and clinical striker. Known for his crisp boxing and exceptional timing, the Australian excels at applying pressure without overcommitting, often drawing mistakes from opponents and capitalising with sharp combinations.
A key part of his game is his body work, which gradually drains opponents and opens opportunities upstairs as fights progress. He’s also shown solid durability and composure under fire, traits that are essential in five-round main events.
With a strong finishing rate and the backing of a home crowd, Della Maddalena enters this bout as the more proven and consistent performer at the highest level.
Della Maddalena’s technical boxing and composure should ultimately be the difference. Expect a competitive start before the Australian takes over and secures a stoppage in front of his home fans.
Carlos Prates (4/5)
Carlos Prates arrives as an intriguing and dangerous contender, bringing a striking style rooted in kickboxing. He prefers to operate at range, where he can utilise his length, kicks and straight shots to control distance and set up powerful finishes.
Prates has demonstrated real knockout power and isn’t afraid to commit to his strikes, making him a constant threat in the opening exchanges. His aggressive approach can overwhelm opponents early, but it also raises questions about how he manages pace and pressure against elite competition.
Facing a fighter like Della Maddalena, who specialises in closing distance and punishing mistakes, will be a significant test of both his technical discipline and his ability to adapt over the course of a longer fight.
Prediction: Della Maddallena To Win In Rounds 2-3 (5/1)
This is a fascinating stylistic clash that could go either way, but there are several reasons to lean toward the hometown hero, Jack Della Maddallena.
Prates is undeniably dangerous and carries knockout power in every limb, but his most devastating performances have come in the early rounds. If Della Maddallena can weather that storm, which his durability record suggests he can, the fight could tilt in his favour. Della Maddallena has proven over five-round main events that his conditioning and fight IQ improve as the bouts progress.
Fighting in front of a home crowd at a full RAC Arena and with the hunger that comes from losing a title, JDM’s forward pressure and sharp combination work could prove too methodical for Prates to keep at bay. Expect a finish in the championship rounds, with the home fighter making a statement on the road to gold.
*Prices accurate at time of writing – odds subject to change*
