Prates reveals mid-fight apology to Della Maddalena during UFC Perth stoppage win

Carlos Prates stopped Jack Della Maddalena in the third round at UFC Perth earlier this month, improving his record to 24-7 while handing the Australian a fourth career loss at 18-4. Now Prates has shed light on a running conversation the two men held throughout the fight.

The exchange began in the opening round when Della Maddalena shot for a takedown. Prates responded with a line borrowed from Nate Diaz — “So you’re a wrestler now?” — to which Della Maddalena replied that he was a complete fighter. Prates pushed back, telling him he was scared.

“I started to talk with him, like, ‘Ah, you become a grappler now? You’re a wrestler?’ And then he goes, ‘Nah, I’m a complete fighter,’” Prates told Daniel Cormier. “And I was like, ‘No, you’re scared of me.’… He’s really tough. At one point in the fight, I said, ‘Hey, sorry, I don’t want to hurt you. I just want title shot.’ And he said, ‘Let’s go to the end.’”

The apology came as Prates began to take control of the contest, explaining to his opponent that the fight was simply a stepping stone toward a title opportunity rather than a personal grudge. Della Maddalena’s response — urging Prates to see it through to the final bell — left the Brazilian with a lasting respect for his toughness.

Prates is now eyeing a welterweight title shot and believes it will materialise in his next outing. Reports indicate that champion Islam Makhachev is set to defend the welterweight title against Ian Garry in the near future. Prates has said he is prepared to wait for the winner of that bout and expects to be the challenger.