Sam Bruce May 2, 2026, 10:55 AM ET

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Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPN after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia's digital rugby coverage.

PERTH, Australia -- Carlos Prates has put himself right in contention for a shot at the UFC welterweight title following a devastating striking performance against former champion Jack Della Maddalena .

Prates (24-7) played spoiler in Della Maddalena's hometown at UFC Fight Night Perth on Saturday night (AEST), earning a third-round stoppage behind a flurry of kicks, punches and elbows that inflicted damage all over the Australian's body.

In the end, it was a brutal calf kick that sent Della Maddalena (18-4) crashing to canvas, the Brazilian quickly moving in to secure the stoppage from referee Mike Beltran at 3:17 in the third round.

Prates had earlier opened up a cut above Della Maddalena's right eye, which streamed blood…