Brazilian Carlos Prates is pledging to produce a knockout win on enemy territory in Saturday night's UFC showdown in Perth, but hometown hero Jack Della Maddalena is bracing for a five-round war.
Della Maddalena (18-3) returns to the octagon for the first time since losing his welterweight crown against future hall of famer Islam Makhachev in New York last November.
The heavy nature of that defeat - in which Della Maddalena looked utterly helpless as he was wrestled to the floor time and time again - still stings.
Della Maddalena will have the chance to unleash his frustrations when he takes on Prates at RAC Arena on Saturday night.
Prates (23-7) is the No.5 ranked challenger in the welterweight division, and he hopes a win in Perth will set up a title bout.
The 32-year-old wasn't afraid to make a big prediction ahead of Saturday's fight.
"I will knock him out," Prates declared.
"I know he just lost the title, and I'm sure he's trying to get back in the run for the title. So I think he wants to come really angry, hungry, 100 per cent to get the win."
Prates has produced 18 knockouts from his 23 victories, and said he will leave it as a "surprise" as to what round he'll put Della Maddalena's lights out.
The dethroned champion is well aware of Prates' weapons, but he has other ideas of how the fight will pan out.
"He brings a lot of weapons," Della Maddalena said.
"He's got finishes with almost every strike he's got. So it's dangerous. It's a dangerous fight.
"I have to be switched on, but I believe I'll be able to push the pace, drag him into deep waters, and I'm expecting a 25-minute battle."
Della Maddalena said he was proud to headline an event bursting with WA talent.
Rising lightweight star Quillan Salkilld will co-headline the night when he takes on veteran Beneil Dariush, while hometown hero Steve Erceg will be aiming to make it two wins in a row when he faces Tim Elliott in a flyweight battle.
"I'm proud where I've come from. I'm proud to represent Perth in a big event," Della Maddalena said.
"To be able to headline it with up and comers, with great Perth fighters underneath me, and obviously all the Australians - I'm proud to be on top of it, because they're such great Australian fighters on the card.
"It's really special."
