Analysis: Key question for Maddalena vs Prates is who will move backward

The main question heading into the Jack Della Maddalena versus Carlos Prates bout is whether there will be a head-on collision in the center of the cage, and if not, who will move backward. Prates has dropped opponents 11 times in the UFC while moving forward and has rarely retreated except briefly against Neil Magny. Maddalena's entire game is also built on forward pressure, and he has almost never been seen moving backward. If both refuse to give ground and clash in the center, the odds may not favor Maddalena, who absorbed over 50 clean punches to the head against Belal Muhammad. The analysis suggests Maddalena has advantages in short-range combination boxing and could force Prates backward, but he will need to take risks and maintain constant pressure. The author predicts Maddalena will make Prates retreat and deliver damage through volume striking, possibly winning by decision or TKO in rounds 3-4.