Maddalena vs. Prates hinges on who controls center of octagon

A tactical analysis of the Maddalena-Prates fight focuses on whether they will engage in the center or if one will back up. Prates has dropped opponents 11 times in the UFC while moving forward and rarely retreats except briefly against Neil Magny. Maddalena similarly builds his game on forward pressure and has rarely been seen backing up. If they clash in the center, Maddalena faces danger as he absorbed over 50 clean straight punches from Belal Muhammad and Prates needs only one to finish. Maddalena's advantages include short combination boxing and counter-striking on the inside, where Prates struggles. The analyst references Ian Garry's success using kicks, footwork, and distance control, noting Maddalena will rely more heavily on boxing alone. The piece concludes with a pick for Maddalena via decision or TKO in rounds 3-4, believing he can force Prates backward and wear him down.