Tactical breakdown of Maddalena-Prates: Key question is who retreats first

The central question in Jack Della Maddalena versus Carlos Prates is whether there will be a clash in the center of the cage, and if not, who will move backward. Prates has knocked down opponents 11 times in the UFC while moving forward and rarely retreats. Maddalena's game is also built on forward movement. If they clash in the center, Maddalena is at risk because Prates needs only one clean shot, while Maddalena absorbed over 50 clean jabs and crosses from Belal Muhammad. Maddalena's advantage lies in short combination boxing and counter-striking at mid-to-close range, where Prates struggles. The analyst suggests Maddalena must force Prates backward and smother him against the cage. Ian Garry succeeded by perfectly timing his exits from Prates' left straight on millimeters, likely due to extensive sparring with southpaws. The prediction is Maddalena by decision or TKO in rounds 3-4.