A detailed tactical breakdown examines the central question of the Madalena-Prates fight: whether they will engage in a center-cage battle and, if not, who will retreat. Prates has knocked down 11 opponents in the UFC moving forward and rarely retreats except briefly against Neil Magny. Madalena also builds his game on forward movement and has never been seen retreating significantly. The analyst notes that if they clash in the center, Madalena faces danger as he absorbed over 50 clean head strikes from Belal Muhammad, while Prates needs just one clean shot. Madalena's advantage lies in short-range combination boxing and counter-striking, areas where Prates struggles when pressured. The breakdown references how Ian Garry successfully worked with Prates by sensing his left straight on a millimeter level and maintaining safe distance control. The analyst ultimately picks Madalena, believing he will force Prates backward and cause damage through volume striking, with a prediction of a decision or TKO in rounds 3-4.
