Jack Della Maddalena has broken his silence following his significant loss to Carlos Prates at UFC Perth earlier this month. Della Maddalena was aiming to rebound from his title loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 322, but “The Nightmare” Prates proved to be an insurmountable challenge.
Despite a strong opening round from Della Maddalena, which included attempts at takedowns, Prates controlled the fight. The Brazilian landed more impactful strikes, varied his offense effectively, and prevented Della Maddalena from establishing a consistent rhythm. While Prates couldn’t secure a knockout, he inflicted considerable damage with brutal knees, punishing leg kicks, and powerful shots, ultimately leading to a TKO victory in the third round after Della Maddalena was visibly weakened.
This marks the second consecutive defeat for the 29-year-old Australian, who is currently ranked fourth in the welterweight division. Given the extent of the damage sustained against Prates, Della Maddalena is expected to be sidelined for approximately 3-4 months. Fans can anticipate his return to the octagon later this year, likely facing an opponent lower in the rankings.
Jack Della Maddalena’s Statement After UFC Perth Loss
Despite two consecutive setbacks, the 29-year-old fighter maintains that he still has much to offer the UFC and its fans. Following the UFC Perth loss, Della Maddalena shared a heartfelt message on his Instagram:
“Thanks for all the love and support. I could not be prouder to represent my gym @scrappy_mma_and_fitness, my family, my city and country. Not the desired result this time around but it was in line with the desired challenge; fighting the most vicious and toughest opponents. 🫡”