Things to Do in Perth for UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates

The UFC is returning to Perth, Western Australia, on May 2, 2026, for a Fight Night event hosted at the RAC Arena. This event marks a significant milestone for the promotion in Australia, as it will be the first time the UFC brings Saturday night fights to the region.

The event is headlined by a welterweight clash between Perth’s own Jack Della Maddalena and Brazilian fighter Carlos “The Nightmare” Prates. Della Maddalena, a former UFC Welterweight Champion and currently the No. 1 ranked welterweight in the division, returns to his home soil for this blockbuster bout. He will face Prates, who enters the contest as the No. 5 ranked welterweight.

Fight Card and Key Matchups

The Main Card is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm at the RAC Arena. In the co-main event, Beneil Dariush, ranked No. 12 in the lightweight division, will take on Australian rising star Quillan Salkilld.

The event features a deep card with several other notable matchups across multiple weight classes:

• Heavyweight: Shamil Gaziev faces Brando Peričić.
• Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa, ranked No. 15, returns to the Octagon to face Sean Sharaf.
• Light Heavyweight: Junior Tafa takes on Kevin Christian.
• Welterweight: Jonathan Micallef competes against Themba Gorimbo.
• Lightweight: Dom Mar Fan faces Kody Steele.
• Bantamweight: Colby Thicknesse takes on Vince Morales.
• Middleweight: Benjamin Johnston faces Wes Schultz.

Additional fighters confirmed for returns to the Octagon include Steve Erceg, Cam Rowston, and Jacob Malkoun.

Visitor Guide for the Perth Event

In coordination with the event, the UFC has released a recommended itinerary for fans traveling to Western Australia for the weekend of May 2, 2026.

For those arriving on Friday, May 1, the recommendation is to visit the coastline, which features 19 white sand beaches, including Scarborough, Rockingham, and Cottlesloe, for activities such as snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, or fishing.

On Saturday, May 2, before the 7:00 pm Main Card start, visitors are encouraged to visit Fremantle. Known as Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2025, Fremantle is accessible via a 25-minute train ride or a 30-minute drive from Perth. Key attractions in the area include the WA Shipwrecks Museum, local markets, and the Little Creatures Brewery.

Following the conclusion of the fights, the suggested activity for Sunday, May 3, is a trip to Rottnest Island. A 30-minute ferry ride transports visitors to the island, where they can access walking trails, bike paths, and see quokkas.

Venue and Logistics

The event will take place at the RAC Arena, located at 700 Wellington Street, Perth WA 6000, Australia. The venue has confirmed that disabled access is available, and interested parties are advised to contact the operator for specific details.

The event is scheduled to run from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm on May 2, 2026, providing a full day of activity leading up to the evening’s mixed martial arts action.