For MMA fans in the US, watching an Australian UFC event means one thing: an early alarm clock. UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates lands on May 2, 2026 at Perth’s RAC Arena, and the main card kicks off at an ungodly 4:00 AM PDT for American audiences.

Prelims Start: 1:00 AM PDT ·
Main Card Start: 4:00 AM PDT ·
Main Event: Della Maddalena vs Prates ·
Watch On: Paramount+ ·
Location: Perth, Australia

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact prelim start time not publicly confirmed
  • Full undercard matchup list beyond top fights
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Set your alarm for 1:00 AM PDT prelims
  • Stream on Paramount+ or UFC Fight Pass

Below is the key information for the upcoming UFC Fight Night at RAC Arena in Perth.

Field Details
Event UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates
Date May 2, 2026
Prelims 1:00 AM PDT
Main Card 4:00 AM PDT
Broadcast Paramount+, ESPN+
Venue RAC Arena, Perth, Australia

What is the undercard in UFC?

The undercard, or prelims, features early-matchup fights before the main card takes over. For tonight’s event at RAC Arena, these bouts stream live on Paramount+ starting at 1:00 AM PDT. UFC Fight Night events typically schedule prelims three to four hours before the main card begins.

Prelim fights listed

While ESPN’s Fightcenter lists the Della Maddalena vs Prates main event as the headline, specific undercard matchups require real-time updates from live UFC coverage platforms. The prelim portion gives emerging fighters their chance on a major stage, often featuring regional prospects and fan-favorite grapplers.

Start times for undercard

Based on the UFC event pattern observed at Moicano vs Duncan on April 4, 2026—when prelims ran from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Paramount+—tonight’s Australian card follows a similar structure with adjusted time zones. Expect the prelims to begin around 1:00 AM PDT, giving West Coast fans a relatively manageable start compared to later PPV events.

Bottom line: Prelims begin at 1:00 AM PDT on Paramount+, with the main card following three hours later at 4:00 AM PDT.

What time does the main card start for UFC Fight Night?

The main card for UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates starts at 4:00 AM PDT on Paramount+. This early-morning start time reflects the event’s location in Perth, Australia—approximately 15-17 hours ahead of US Pacific Time depending on daylight saving adjustments.

Main card time PDT

US fans face one of the less convenient broadcast windows of the UFC calendar. The 4:00 AM PDT main card start means East Coast viewers tune in at 7:00 AM ET—a Tuesday morning viewing experience that requires either strong coffee or recording capabilities. ESPN’s UFC Fightcenter confirms this timing for the May 2 event.

UK and other timezones

For UK viewers, the main card translates to 12:00 PM BST (assuming no daylight saving conflict), making this a mid-afternoon watch. Central Europe catches it at 1:00 PM CET, while Australian fans in Perth local time see the action in prime evening hours around 7:00 PM AWST. Sportsnet’s UFC Schedule confirms these international broadcast windows vary by regional carrier.

The upshot

US fans need to decide between catching the live broadcast at 4:00 AM PDT or watching the replay—Paramount+ offers on-demand access immediately after each event concludes in Perth.

What time is the Aspinall vs Gane fight?

The Aspinall vs Gane bout is not part of tonight’s Della Maddalena vs Prates card—that fight belongs to UFC 321, a separate event with its own schedule. However, UFC 321 follows tonight’s event by several days, giving fans a quick turnaround to the next major heavyweight matchup.

Fight slot on card

Heavyweight contenders Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane have been linked for future UFC events, but their exact placement on UFC 321 requires confirmation from official UFC announcements. Sportsnet’s upcoming schedule tracking shows UFC 328 on May 9, with UFC 321 dates still pending public verification.

PPV details

When Aspinall vs Gane does get officially scheduled, expect it as a UFC PPV main event rather than a Fight Night bout. UFC 328 on May 9 features Khamzat Chimaev defending the middleweight title against Sean Strickland, establishing the current PPV landscape. The Sportsnet UFC Schedule confirms these upcoming major events.

Why this matters

Heavyweight superfights like Aspinall vs Gane typically command PPV pricing and Saturday night slots—avoiding the early-weekend timing that tonight’s Australian Fight Night requires.

Who’s fighting in UFC 306 tonight?

UFC 306 refers to a previous numbered event, not tonight’s Fight Night card. The confusion between UFC 306 and tonight’s UFC Fight Night Della Maddalena vs Prates is common when browsing MMA schedules across different promotion eras. UFC 306 occurred in 2024 at Sphere in Las Vegas.

Full lineup

Tonight’s actual lineup features Jack Della Maddalena against UFC newcomer Prates in the main eventwelterweight bout. The RAC Arena crowd in Perth provides home-fight advantage for Della Maddalena, an Australian prospect climbing the division rankings. ESPN UFC Fightcenter provides the most current matchup listings for this event.

Key matchups

Beyond the main event, watch for any co-main event announcements on the night. Comparable recent Fight Nights like Moicano vs Duncan (April 4, 2026 at Meta APEX Las Vegas) showcased three-to-four televised bouts before the main card—a structure that typically holds for tonight’s Perth event.

Bottom line: Tonight features Della Maddalena vs Prates, not UFC 306. UFC 306 was a 2024 numbered event held at Sphere in Las Vegas.

What is the lineup for UFC 319?

UFC 319 has not been officially announced as of the May 2, 2026 schedule. The UFC event progression shows UFC 328 scheduled for May 9, 2026, with subsequent numbered events pending announcement. Future event lineups typically emerge 4-6 weeks before their scheduled dates.

Main card fighters

Without an official UFC 319 announcement, fighter matchups remain speculative. The UFC’s ranked contenders across each division provide educated guesses—Della Maddalena’s potential future opponents include others in the welterweight top 15, pending his performance tonight. Sherdog maintains fighter rankings and historical matchup data for reference.

Undercard start time

When UFC 319 does get announced, expect prelims 3-4 hours before the main card, following the standard Fight Night format. UFC Fight Pass provides schedule access for all upcoming events, including the specific timing details that emerge closer to each event date.

What to watch

Watch Della Maddalena’s performance tonight—if he wins impressively, his next matchup could feature prominently on a future UFC 319 undercard or main card, depending on ranking movement.

Watching UFC tonight: streaming options

Paramount+ serves as the primary home for UFC Fight Night events like tonight’s Della Maddalena vs Prates card. Both prelims and main card stream live on the platform, with replays available immediately after each event concludes from Perth.

UFC Fight Pass complements the viewing experience by providing fight archives, fighter profiles, and schedule access. Canadian fans can alternatively watch select events on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet+, where UFC 328 on May 9 features specific ET/PT start times confirmed by Sportsnet’s UFC Schedule coverage.

Upsides

  • Live coverage on Paramount+ ensures real-time access
  • UFC Fight Pass offers schedule and archive access
  • Replay available immediately after live broadcast

Downsides

  • Early morning US start time requires late viewing
  • Exact prelim start time unconfirmed publicly
  • Full undercard details require live follow-up

The UFC schedule landscape

Tonight’s Della Maddalena vs Prates card represents one of several UFC events in May 2026. UFC 328 on May 9 features Khamzat Chimaev defending his middleweight title against former champion Sean Strickland—the Sportsnet UFC Schedule confirms prelims at 7 p.m. ET and PPV main card at 9 p.m. ET.

The UFC’s 2026 event calendar shows consistent international expansion, with events in Las Vegas, Perth, and other global venues. This pattern benefits fans seeking diverse fight cards but creates challenging time zone logistics for US viewers when events occur in Australia or Asia.

What the schedule tells us

Watch UFC 328 on Saturday, May 9 with prelim coverage beginning 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, and pay-per-view main card starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Sportsnet UFC Schedule

Khamzat Chimaev puts his middleweight title on the line against former champion Sean Strickland.

Sportsnet UFC Schedule

Jack Della Maddalena fights in his home country for this UFC Fight Night appearance, facing UFC newcomer Prates in the welterweight division.

ESPN UFC Fightcenter

Confirmed vs unclear

The verified facts from ESPN UFC Fightcenter confirm tonight’s event details: RAC Arena in Perth hosts Della Maddalena vs Prates on May 2, 2026, with the main card streaming at 4:00 AM PDT on Paramount+. These facts come from tier-2 editorial sources with high confidence.

Confirmed

  • Event at RAC Arena, Perth Australia (ESPN UFC Fightcenter)
  • Main card starts 4:00 AM PDT (ESPN UFC Fightcenter)
  • Prelims stream on Paramount+ (ESPN UFC Fightcenter)
  • UFC 328 scheduled May 9 with Chimaev vs Strickland (Sportsnet UFC Schedule)
  • UFC Fight Pass provides schedule access (UFC Fight Pass Schedule)

Unclear

  • Exact prelim start time for tonight
  • Full undercard matchup list
  • Confirmed time zone for 4:00 AM listing
  • Specific regional broadcast details beyond Paramount+

The bigger picture

Tonight’s early-morning Fight Night represents a trade-off inherent in UFC’s international expansion. Australian fans get prime-time viewing in Perth; US fans sacrifice sleep for live access. The alternative—waiting for replay—works for some but loses the communal experience of real-time fight commentary.

The pattern repeats throughout 2026: UFC 328 on May 9 offers the more viewer-friendly Saturday night PPV slot with Chimaev vs Strickland, while tonight’s event demands the early alarm. For US fans committed to live MMA coverage, tonight requires dedication; for casual viewers, the replay option or waiting for UFC 328 provides easier entry points into the week’s fight action.

The trade-off

Australian events like tonight favor local audiences over US viewers—but the trade-off means accessing fighters like Della Maddalena at their peak competitive moments, which often comes during international fight weeks.

Related reading: Real Oviedo vs Real Madrid Lineups

Tonight’s Della Maddalena vs Prates headline echoes the excitement of UFC 317’s fight card, where Topuria made history against Oliveira in Las Vegas.

Frequently asked questions

What time does the UFC main card start tonight?

The main card for UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates starts at 4:00 AM PDT on Paramount+, with prelims beginning three hours earlier at 1:00 AM PDT.

What is the UFC fight card tonight?

Tonight’s UFC Fight Night at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia features Jack Della Maddalena vs Prates as the main event in the welterweight division, with undercard bouts streaming on Paramount+.

When do UFC prelims start tonight?

UFC prelims for tonight’s event begin at approximately 1:00 AM PDT, following the standard three-hour gap before the main card that UFC Fight Night events typically observe.

How to watch UFC fight tonight?

Paramount+ streams both prelims and main card live for UFC Fight Night events. UFC Fight Pass provides schedule access and additional fight archives. Canadian viewers can access select events through Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet+.

Who is in the main event tonight?

Jack Della Maddalena, an Australian welterweight prospect, faces Prates in the main event at RAC Arena, Perth on May 2, 2026. Della Maddalena fights in his home country for this UFC Fight Night appearance.

What are the undercard fights?

Specific undercard matchups require real-time verification from live UFC coverage. Prelim fights typically feature emerging fighters and regional prospects before the main card takes over at 4:00 AM PDT.

Is there a UFC event tonight?

Yes, UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates occurs on May 2, 2026 at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, with the main card streaming live on Paramount+ starting at 4:00 AM PDT.