Jack Della Maddalena acknowledges the difficulties he will face this weekend against Carlos Prates. The Australian described Prates as a stunning and very dangerous fighter who is genuinely interesting to watch. Della Maddalena noted that when Prates enters his flow, he looks very good, requiring maximum focus throughout the bout. Despite recognizing these threats, the welterweight contender believes his skills are sufficient to handle Prates' strong points. The matchup appears set for this weekend, though the post does not specify the exact event details.
Jack Della Maddalena has publicly acknowledged the threat posed by Carlos Prates ahead of their welterweight clash this weekend, describing the Brazilian as a stunning and very dangerous fighter who is genuinely interesting to watch.
Della Maddalena, ranked fourth in the welterweight division and 13th pound-for-pound, enters the bout carrying an 18-4 record. The 29-year-old Australian out of Scrappy MMA is one of the more prolific strikers in the division, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute at a 51 percent accuracy rate. A switch-stance fighter standing five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach, he has built his reputation on relentless offensive output, though his wrestling involvement remains minimal with just 0.13 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Prates, nicknamed The Nightmare, holds the fifth spot in the welterweight rankings and brings a 24-7 record into the contest. The 32-year-old Brazilian trains out of Vale Top Team and presents a distinct physical profile — six-foot-one with a notably long 78-inch reach, giving him a five-inch advantage over Della Maddalena in that department. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate and, like his opponent, is a switch-stance fighter. Prates has not recorded a submission attempt in the UFC, making this a likely striking-centered contest.
Della Maddalena specifically warned that Prates becomes particularly dangerous when he settles into his rhythm, saying the matchup will require maximum focus for the full duration of the fight. Despite those reservations, the Australian expressed confidence that his own skill set is capable of neutralizing what Prates brings to the table.
Why it matters
- A win for either fighter could push them into title contention from inside the top five
- Both men are switch-stance strikers, creating an intricate technical matchup on the feet
- Prates holds a significant reach advantage at 78 inches versus Della Maddalena's 73 inches, a factor that could shape the distance battle
