{"id":38781,"date":"2026-04-29T13:19:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T17:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=38781"},"modified":"2026-04-29T13:19:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T17:19:49","slug":"ufc-fight-night-della-maddalena-vs-prates-picks-predictions-and-odds-may-2-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/mma\/ufc-fight-night-della-maddalena-vs-prates-picks-predictions-and-odds-may-2-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates Picks, Predictions and Odds May 2, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UFC Fight Night Betting Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UFC Fight Night picks and predictions<\/strong> come from WagerTalk UFC handicapper Andy Lang<\/a><\/span> for May 2, 2026 with the main event headlined by Jack Della Maddalena vs Carlos Prates<\/strong> in a welterweight fight. The main card starts up at 7:00am ET from RAC Arena (AUS) in\u00a0Perth,\u00a0Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jack Della Maddalena vs Carlos Prates:<\/strong> UFC Fight Night Main Event<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Saturday, May 2<\/th>UFC Fight Night Betting Notes (Courtesy of Caesars)<\/th><\/tr>
Moneyline:<\/td>Jack Della Maddalena -104 vs Carlos Prates -122<\/td><\/tr>
Rounds:<\/td>3.5 (Over -106 \/ Under -120)<\/td><\/tr>
Fight Time:<\/td>Main Card Starts at 7:00am ET \/ 4:00am PT<\/td><\/tr>
Arena:<\/td>RAC Arena (AUS) in\u00a0Perth,\u00a0Australia<\/td><\/tr>
TV:<\/td>Paramount+<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

UFC Fight Night Undercard Predictions<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Beneil Dariush +135 vs Quillan Salkilld -155\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This fight is simple \u2014 either Salkilld gets an early KO or Dariush wins on the ground. Dariush\u00a0has been knocked out in 3 of his last 4, showing serious durability issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If he avoids damage,\u00a0he dominates grappling. I think Salkilld lands first and ends it early. Salkilld by KO<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tim Elliott +105 vs Steve Erceg -125\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erceg\u2019s career path has been strange \u2014 early success, quick title shot, then struggles against top\u00a0 competition. He\u2019s solid everywhere but not elite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elliott is scrappy with awkward movement and\u00a0 dangerous grappling. He looked sharp last fight despite personal adversity. At 39, he\u2019s still tricky. Lean Erceg in a close fight<\/strong> due to better striking and takedown defense.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shamil Gaziev -265 vs Brando Peri\u010di\u0107 +225\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peri\u010di\u0107 is an explosive striker who starts fast but lacks experience. His only loss came after\u00a0gassing when he couldn\u2019t get an early finish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gaziev was knocked out early last fight, raising\u00a0durability concerns. If Gaziev survives early, he can wrestle and take over. Fight doesn\u2019t go the\u00a0distance is the play, with a sprinkle on the dog<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tai Tuivasa -265 vs Louie Sutherland +225\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last chance for Tuivasa. He\u2019s lost six straight but gets a favorable matchup. Sutherland is out of shape, lacks striking, and offers little upside. He may attempt wrestling, but likely can\u2019t sustain\u00a0it. Tuivasa by KO<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cam Rowston +155 vs Robert Bryczek -185\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bryczek pressures on the feet but slows down late and has questionable losses. Rowston has\u00a0improved over the past two years with increased aggression and power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019ll need to land early\u00a0to disrupt Bryczek. Close fight \u2014 Rowston is the pick<\/strong>, but not a betting spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Junior Tafa -205 vs Kevin Christian +175\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fight doesn\u2019t go the distance is the easy play. Both fighters are aggressive and defensive\u00a0liabilities. Tafa is a first-round KO or bust fighter with no cardio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christian will push pace \u2014\u00a0 either he gets knocked out early or finishes Tafa late. Underdog or pass<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacob Malkoun -185 vs Gerald Meerschaert +160\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easiest pick on the card. Meerschaert is aging, on a losing streak, and has limited upside.\u00a0Malkoun is younger, stronger, and better everywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meerschaert\u2019s only chance is a random\u00a0submission, but Malkoun has never been submitted. Malkoun is the pick<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colby Thickness -135 vs Vince Morales +115\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morales has lost three straight and struggles with pressure and wrestling \u2014 exactly what\u00a0Thicknesse does best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morales is a serviceable striker but lacks impact. Thicknesse should\u00a0control this with takedowns and grind out a decision<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wes Schultz -185 vs Ben Johnston +160\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnston is 35 with only six pro fights \u2014 a red flag. He has power but poor fundamentals and\u00a0weak competition. Schultz has more experience and a solid ground game, but durability is a concern. Schultz should win, but Johnston has KO upside if you\u2019re looking for a flier<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jonathan Micallef -170 vs Themba Gorimbo +145\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bad matchup for Gorimbo. He relies on wrestling but lacks striking. Micallef is the better striker\u00a0and can hold his own on the ground. He can reverse positions and even find submissions.\u00a0Micallef is the pick<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kody Steele -155 vs Dom Mar Fan +135\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steele is a solid prospect with wrestling and athleticism, but his striking defense and cardio are\u00a0 concerns. Fan is a grinder who will clinch, slow the fight down, and make it ugly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This likely goes the distance. Fan has the edge late and could steal the fight. Fight goes the distance is the\u00a0 best play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UFC Fight Night Main Event: Jack Della Maddalena -104 vs Carlos Prates -122<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Maddalena is a pure boxer, while Prates is a power striker. This should stay on the feet. Prates\u00a0has far more one-shot KO power \u2014 all 13 of his recent wins are by knockout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maddalena has\u00a0 been squeaking by with split decisions and wins over aging opponents. Prates continues to\u00a0deliver and I\u2019ll keep backing him. Prates by KO<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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