Bratis Eyes a High-Stakes Return: A Potential Bratis vs DeLa Maddalena Showdown at UFC 327
5 January 2026
The Context: UFC 327, Miami Return and a Paramount Partnership
The UFC is lining up a spring return to the Kaseya Center in Miami as UFC 327 approaches, with a major storyline tied to the new Paramount alliance. Brazilian lightweight Carlos Bratis has signaled openness to facing former middleweight champion Jack DeLa Maddalena, potentially placing them on a marquee portion of the card.
A Potential Bratis vs DeLa Maddalena Showdown and What It Could Mean
Bratis, currently sixth in the lightweight rankings, made his UFC debut after a blistering four-fight knockout run and earned his contract through Dana White's Contender Series in 2023. He tasted defeat in April of last year against Ian Machado Gary, but rebounded with a stylish finish over veteran Geoff Neal at UFC 319 and later delivered the most significant win of his career by stopping former champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322 in the second round.
DeLa Maddalena joined the ranks of former champions in the lightweight division after UFC 322 when he dropped his belt to Islam Makhachev by unanimous decision in his title defense. The 29-year-old Australian began his UFC journey undefeated after winning the 2021 Dana White's Contender Series, and he extended his win streak to 18 with a knockout of Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 before his first professional stumble in a long time.
The prospect of Bratis vs DeLa Maddalena would represent a pivotal milestone in the title race and would be a strong addition to UFC 327's lineup, which currently features only one light heavyweight bout between former title challenger Dominic Reyes and Johnny Walker. Rumors circulated of an April 11 date in Miami, with some suggesting the bout could anchor the card.
In social posts, Bratis teased interest in the matchup, inviting UFC officials to reach out to him. The landscape remains fluid, but the potential clash has MMA fans buzzing about a fight that could reshape the lightweight division's contenders top end and heat up UFC 327's atmosphere.
Punchline 1: If this ends in a decision, expect the judges to be as tired as the fighters after round three—coffee cups and earplugs included.
Punchline 2: And if you blink, you might miss the knockout—that’s what I call a motivational slide show.
