UFC Predictions: Fight Night Maddalena vs Prates

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 5/1/2026

Photo by Ed Mulholland/ Zuffa LLC

In our Fight Night Sterling v Zalal Predictions which you can find here,

Zak went 3-3 in picks with 1 method for 4 points.

Matt went 4-2 in picks with4 methods for 8 points.

Points To Date:

Zak: 75 (51-30)

Matt: 76 (50-31)

*All odds courtesy of Caesar's Sportsbook on 4/30

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1Jack Della Maddelena vs

5Carlos Prates

(Prates -120)

Zak Drapeau -

I am so ready for this Main Event War! This should be a straight-up kickboxing match between two of the best strikers at 170, and I believe the key to who wins will be how long it goes.

If this fight goes into rounds 4 and 5, I assume Maddalena will have the advantage and use his superior distance striking to win on points. If this fight ends early, both fighters have the capability to do so, but I think Prates has a little more knockout power.

In the end, I think JDM will take it and bring Prates into some deep waters in rounds 3, 4, and 5. I think we could see JDM even use some grappling to weather the storm early and get Prates tired.

Prediction: Jack Della Maddalena by Decision

Matt Hylen -

I mean, how are we supposed to predict this fight! In what, in my eyes, is the best main event we've had on a Fight Night in some time, we have two powerful strikers who can end their opponent's night in a blink.

Starting with the former champ Jack Della Maddalena, he is one of the cleanest strikers in the entire UFC. He may not have that one-punch KO power, but his combinations are absolutely nasty and add up insanely quickly. His volume is second to none when he gets things going, and he also has a pretty underrated chin. His biggest weakness is his bottom game on the ground, but I have a feeling he won't have to worry about that.

As for Prates, he might be the heaviest hitter in the entire UFC. His fists have the kiss of death; he knocks guys out without needing to land a flush shot on the chin. He knocks guys out who have never been knocked out before with a single shot. He is not a volume or pressure striker, but with his power, he simply does not need to be. He is fast, lean, and his kicks make him one of the most complex but powerful fighters in the division.

This is so tough to predict. The styles of these two clash so much. You have JDM, who thrives when putting on the pressure, but can he do that against a guy like Prates, who thrives when he is pressured? My gut is going to regret this, I'm sure, but I'll go against Zak to make things interesting.

Prediction: Carlos Prates by TKO/KO

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12Beneil Dariush vs

Quilan Salkilld

(Salkilld -420)

Zak Drapeau -

Beneil Dariush hasn't fought someone outside of the Top 10 since Diego Ferreira over 5 years ago, but in his twilight years, he now has to fight Quilan Salkilld, who's 5-0 in the UFC. Dariush is still a good fighter and a very good wrestler even at 37 years old, but can he withstand Salkilld's grappling?

Salkilld is a 26-year-old BJJ black belt and maybe the phenom at 170 right now. I do believe Dariush has something left in the chamber and can still compete with Top 15 guys, but the Salkilld train is coming, and it's only making a quick stop this weekend before it blows past Dariush.

Prediction: Quilan Salkilld by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

I am not going to spend too much time on this one because I am so confident that Quilan Salkilld is going to win this fight. He is the biggest prospect in the UFC, at home, and outmatches Beneil Dariush anywhere the fight goes. With Dariush being past his prime and having a glass chin, do not expect this fight to make it out of round 1.

Prediction: Quilan Salkilld by TKO/KO

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11Tim Elliot vs

12Steve Erceg

(Erceg -210)

Zak Drapeau -

This is an insanely underrated fight in the Flyweight division between two guys who have only lost to the cream of the crop at 125. Tim Elliott is the 40-year-old veteran who has been fighting his ass off to stay toward the top of the division, and Steve Erceg, who was supposed to have that top contender billing but has come up short when it's mattered most.

Erceg has youth and momentum on his side in this fight, and while wrestling is always razor-thin between notoriously well-balanced Flyweights, I do think Elliott could really control this fight with his wrestling. If Tim Elliott still has the stamina and guts to throw down with Steve Erceg for a full 15 minutes and use his experience and wrestling, I can see an upset coming.

Prediction: Tim Elliot by Decision

Matt Hylen -

Another super fun fight that I think can bring some fireworks to Perth. Both Tim Elliott and Steve Erceg are proven veterans whose resumes are loaded with experience.

Coming into this fight, I would give Elliott the edge when it comes to his crafty sort of style. His striking has improved a lot in recent fights to go along with his slick submission ability. He has won four of his last five against really solid opponents, which gives him the momentum edge as well. Overall, if Elliott takes this to the ground, I see him doing a lot of work against Erceg.

As for Erceg, he is the much younger guy who fought for the title not too long ago. His boxing is much crisper than Elliott's with more power in his hands. His experience against top-5 talent is evident in his resume, which should allow him to be a bit more patient and calculated considering how he has lost in the past.

I really can see this fight going either way, but I think Erceg will win his second fight in a row and start making that push back up the ranking ladder.

Prediction: Steve Erceg by Decision

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14Shamil Gaziev vs

Brando Pericic

(Pericic -145)

Zak Drapeau -

I'm taking the under in this fight. Pericic has only made it out of the 1st round once in 7 pro fights and has 2 first-round knockouts in his 2 UFC fights. Shamil Gaziev is also of the quick knockout variety as well, but with much more experience than his opponent.

As far as who will land the first-round knockout first, I'd have to go with Pericic for his ability to pressure opponents in his few fights so far in his young career. However, I have to say that if the fight goes into the 2nd round or any longer, Gaziev has the advantage. I'm gonna go with Pericic by finish, but I think he'll knock down Gaziev and actually finish him with either a rear-naked choke or an arm triangle.

Prediction: Brando Pericic by Submission

Matt Hylen -

The UFC really killed it with this card; this is another potential barnburner between heavyweights that I think could shape the division in a big way.

I think the biggest advantage that Shamil Gaziev has over Brando Pericic is his experience and his grappling. He has fought the much tougher opponents, while his grappling is miles ahead of what Pericic can offer.

With that said, Pericic does hold an advantage on the feet. Though he has yet to really face a good opponent, Gaziev tends to struggle against power punchers, which Pericic certainly is.

I am going to say this fight ends before the horn, but goes back and forth for a little bit. It will really come down to who has the bigger gas tank.

Prediciton: Brando Pericic by TKO/KO

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Cam Rowston vs

Robert Bryzcek

(Rowston -170)

Zak Drapeau -

Rowston is so big for a Middleweight it's hard for me to pick against him in this fight, which I absolutely believe will lead to a ranked fight for the winner. Bryczek may not be as known as Rowston but had a reputation for first-round knockouts before he made it to the UFC.

With two big and violent Middleweights set to clash with a possible ranked fight in the balance, I expect fireworks. Rowston, to me, is much more composed when exchanging and slightly bigger, so I'll go with him, but this is one of those fights where the real winner will be the fans.

Prediction: Cam Rowston by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

I love Cam Rowston as a prospect. I really think he has what it takes to make a major push in this division. Rowston's 93% finishing rate is as dangerous as they come. He is lanky and powerful, but has yet to prove himself against tough competition.

With that said, Robert Bryzcek may not be a big name, but his style is also extremely dangerous. He is best known for his aggressive boxing style. His style is basically to walk his opponent down and pick them apart against the cage with his combinations. He is not the best defensively, but his hands are absolutely nasty and could give Rowston trouble.

This has fight of the night (outside the main event) written all over it. I think these two are going to go to war.

Prediction: Cam Rowston by Decision

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Jacob Malkoun vs

Gerald Meerschaert

(Malkoun -1000)

Zak Drapeau -

Yeah, that's right, Malkoun is -1000 for this fight after Meerschaert comes in as the loser of his last 4 fights. Malkoun has been dominating the Middleweight division's "best of the rest" with his only loss coming to Brendan Allen and a DQ to Cody Brundage in a fight he was clearly winning.

I'll say this, I have Malkoun by TKO comfortably in this one, but watch out for a sneaky Meerschaert decision. Gerald Meerschaert has lost 4 in a row and is 38, but he's a crafty veteran who has a BIG size advantage over Malkoun that he could use.

Prediction: Jacob Malkoun by TKO

Matt Hylen -

In a battle of grapplers, it honestly makes sense to me why Jacob Malkoun is such a massive favorite. Gerald Meerschaert is on a four-fight losing streak while Malkoun is coming off one of the most polished and best wins of his career. I honestly do not think this fight will be very close, unfortunately, with Malkoun outclassing Meerschaert anywhere the fight goes.

Prediction: Jacob Malkoun by Submission

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-Z.D.