It was a tough night for the Scrappy MMA team at UFC Perth, and no one is feeling it more than Jack Della Maddalena's camp. The former UFC Welterweight champion suffered a third-round stoppage loss to Brazilian contender Carlos Prates this past Saturday (May 2, 2026) at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia—a fight that left fans and his inner circle reeling.

While "JDM" has remained quiet since the defeat, his head coach, Ben Vickers, broke the silence with a heartfelt message on Instagram. "We are all hurting today in different ways, but that's the game we play," Vickers wrote. "We will rebuild and come back stronger. Thank you for all of the messages of support." It's a raw reminder of the highs and lows that define combat sports—and the resilience it takes to bounce back.

This loss marks a challenging chapter for the Australian standout, who has now dropped back-to-back fights for the first time since turning pro in 2016. The defeat likely costs him his No. 1 ranking in the Welterweight division, adding another layer of disappointment to an already tough stretch. To make matters worse, Vickers also cornered Tai Tuivasa on the same card, who suffered his seventh straight loss—making UFC Perth a particularly brutal outing for the entire Scrappy MMA squad.

For Della Maddalena (18-4), the damage absorbed against Prates suggests a well-deserved break could be in order. With several fall events on the horizon, including UFC Abu Dhabi in October, the timing of his return remains uncertain. But when he's ready to step back into the Octagon, a matchup with Canada's Mike Malott could be a compelling next step to help him find his footing again.

For now, the focus is on healing—and rebuilding. As Vickers put it, this is the game they play, and the comeback story is already being written.