Jack Della Maddalena has outlined his route back to UFC gold after losing his title.
He was dominated over five rounds by Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 last November.
Following the defeat, Della Maddalena accepted a callout from rising contender Carlos Prates.
Prates gained popularity with four straight knockout wins after joining the UFC in 2024.
His momentum briefly stalled after a loss to Ian Machado Garry last April.
Prates rebounded by knocking out Leon Edwards on the UFC 322 undercard.
Della Maddalena welcomed the matchup and predicted a stoppage victory over five rounds.
A win could boost his title hopes, though competition remains fierce at welterweight.
Michael Morales and Machado Garry are also pushing for title contention.
