Carlos Prates climbs up the rankings as heavyweight and lightweight divisions add new faces
After his win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth, Carlos Prates has made a big move up the welterweight rankings. This past Saturday in Perth, Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates squared off in the main event, both hoping to strengthen their claims for a future title shot.
Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images After his win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth, Carlos Prates has made a big move up the welterweight rankings. This past Saturday in Perth, Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates squared off in the main event, both hoping to strengthen their claims for a future title shot. ‘The Nightmare’ put on a flawless performance, becoming the first fighter to finish Della Maddalena inside the Octagon when he stopped him in the third round.
Prates has now put himself firmly into welterweight title contention and has been rewarded with a significant boost in the rankings. Carlos Prates climbs to No. 2 in latest welterweight rankings update Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC After defeating the former champion, who held the top spot going into the fight, the 32-year-old has now climbed three places up to number two.
That result has also had a knock-on effect for Ian Machado Garry, who now moves up to number one and strengthens his case as the division’s top contender. Makhachev is reportedly set to face Garry next, with that matchup expected to headline UFC 330 in Philadelphia. Prates may not need another fight before earning his shot at the belt following Machado Garry, with a title opportunity looking likely before year’s end.
It wasn’t just welterweight where rankings shifted. Several other fighters from UFC Perth were rewarded for their performances with moves up their respective ladders. Salkilld entered the lightweight rankings at number 12 after stopping Beneil Dariush in the first round, jumping ahead of fighters like Michael Chandler.