Analysis explores whether Maddalena or Prates will fight moving backward

A technical breakdown examines the key question in the Maddalena versus Prates matchup: whether there will be a head-on clash in the cage center, and if not, who will fight moving backward. The analysis notes that Prates has dropped opponents 11 times in the UFC while moving forward and rarely retreats, needing forward momentum to land his left straight effectively. Maddalena similarly builds his entire game on forward pressure and has rarely been seen retreating. If they meet in the center, Maddalena faces danger as he absorbed over 50 clean straight punches against Belal Muhammad, while Prates needs only one clean shot. The analyst suggests Maddalena's best path to victory is using short combination boxing to force Prates backward and keep him on the fence, though this requires aggressive risk-taking. The piece notes Ian Garry's success came from reading Prates' left straight on millimeters and superior footwork, attributes Maddalena may lack, though he hits harder than Garry.