Jack Della Maddalena has predicted he will finish Carlos Prates in the fifth round of their upcoming welterweight bout. Della Maddalena anticipates an explosive start to the fight, expecting both fighters to engage immediately without much feeling-out process. He acknowledged Prates' impressive resume featuring multiple knockout victories, which sets up what should be an exciting striking battle. The Australian fighter believes the opening minute will be particularly thrilling as both men test each other early. Della Maddalena expressed confidence that after the initial exchanges, they will settle into building their strategies over the full five-round distance before he secures the late finish.
Jack Della Maddalena has gone on record predicting a fifth-round stoppage when he meets Carlos Prates in an upcoming welterweight clash, expressing confidence that he will wear down the Brazilian finisher before closing the show late.
Della Maddalena enters the fight ranked fourth in the welterweight division and thirteenth pound-for-pound, carrying an 18-4 record at just 29 years old. The Australian, who trains out of Scrappy MMA, is one of the more active strikers in the division, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy while operating out of a switch stance. He anticipates the fight will open at a high pace, suggesting both men will engage immediately rather than spend time feeling each other out in the early exchanges.
Prates, known as The Nightmare, brings a 24-7 record and sits one spot below Della Maddalena at fifth in the welterweight rankings. The 32-year-old Brazilian out of Vale Top Team is a physically imposing matchup at six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, giving him a five-inch reach advantage over his opponent. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, and Della Maddalena specifically acknowledged the knockout power Prates has demonstrated throughout his career as a factor that makes the opening stages particularly dangerous for both men.
Why it matters
- Two of the top five welterweights collide, with significant divisional positioning on the line for both fighters
- Both men are switch-stance strikers with finishing ability, pointing toward a high-entertainment striking contest
- Della Maddalena's prediction of a fifth-round finish suggests he expects to control the fight's pace and volume over the full distance
- A win for either man would strengthen a case for a future title shot in a crowded 170-pound division
