Jack Della Maddalena has stated he will finish Carlos Prates in the fifth round of their upcoming bout. Della Maddalena believes the opening minute will be highly exciting, with both fighters engaging immediately rather than feeling each other out. He expects an early exchange to determine who has the advantage, followed by strategic fighting over the full five-round distance. Della Maddalena acknowledged Prates' record of impressive knockout victories, anticipating a thrilling contest between the two welterweight contenders.
Jack Della Maddalena has made a bold prediction ahead of his welterweight showdown with Carlos Prates, calling for a fifth-round finish when the two contenders finally meet.
Della Maddalena, ranked fourth in the welterweight division and 13th in the pound-for-pound standings, carries an 18-4 record into the fight. The 29-year-old Australian, who trains out of Scrappy MMA, is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute at a 51 percent accuracy rate. He switches stances and works at a high output, though his grappling engagement remains minimal, with just 0.13 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," is ranked one spot below at fifth in the division. The 32-year-old Brazilian out of Vale Top Team holds a 24-7 record and brings notable physical advantages to the matchup, standing six-foot-one with a reach of 78 inches — three inches longer than Della Maddalena's 73-inch reach. Prates lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate and also switches stances, setting up what figures to be a technically complex striking battle.
Della Maddalena stated the opening minute will be electric, predicting both men will engage immediately rather than spend time reading each other. He expects an early exchange to establish who holds the upper hand before the fight settles into a longer strategic contest across all five rounds. He acknowledged Prates' string of impressive knockout victories while still expressing confidence he will secure the stoppage late.
Why it matters
- A win for either man would strengthen a case for a welterweight title shot, with both sitting inside the top five at 170 pounds.
- Both fighters are switch-stance strikers, making angles and timing central to the matchup.
- Della Maddalena's volume versus Prates' reach and accuracy sets up a compelling stylistic contrast over championship rounds.
