Jack Della Maddalena's homecoming at UFC Perth didn't go as planned. The Australian welterweight suffered a dominant loss to Brazilian powerhouse Carlos Prates, who used his length and pinpoint striking to pick apart Maddalena's defense. After a competitive first round that saw Maddalena secure a takedown, Prates turned up the heat in Round 3—landing vicious elbows and a brutal leg kick that sent the Aussie crashing to the canvas, leading to a TKO finish at 3:17.
While the loss pushes Maddalena out of the immediate title conversation, don't count him out just yet. He's still a former champion with a resume that commands respect. So what's next for "JDM"? Here are five compelling options for his return to the Octagon.
1. Joaquin Buckley or Sean Brady
Both top-10 welterweights face off at UFC 328 next week, and either would make a perfect next opponent for Maddalena. A striking war with Buckley has "Fight of the Year" written all over it. Meanwhile, a clash with Brady would test Maddalena's grappling against one of the division's best—and silence any doubters about his win over Belal Muhammad.
2. Kamaru Usman
The former welterweight king snapped a three-fight skid with an impressive win over Buckley last June. Now, Usman is holding out for a title shot against Islam Makhachev—but that seems unlikely. If "The Nigerian Nightmare" wants a fight that excites him, a battle between two former champions could bring him back to the cage this fall.
3. Leon Edwards
The Englishman is in a tough spot. After looking like a future legend in 2023, Edwards has dropped three straight—including two finishes at the hands of Brady and Prates. He desperately needs a win, but his name value won't allow for a tune-up fight outside the top 10. That's why Edwards vs. Maddalena makes perfect sense for both men.
4. Gilbert Burns
The Brazilian veteran is always game, and his style would make for an exciting matchup. Burns is coming off a tough loss but remains a top-tier gatekeeper. A win over him would put Maddalena right back in the mix.
5. Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson
A fan-favorite matchup that would deliver fireworks. Thompson's karate-based striking against Maddalena's pressure and volume would be a chess match on the feet. Both men need a win to stay relevant in the division, making this a high-stakes, must-see fight.
No matter which path Maddalena takes, one thing is certain: his next fight will be a pivotal moment in his career. Stay tuned—the welterweight division just got a lot more interesting.