Analysis: Prates favored over Maddalena in UFC Perth main event

An analytical breakdown of the upcoming Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates welterweight fight gives Prates the edge. The analysis notes that Maddalena's style requires him to be the aggressor, while Prates struggles when pressured and forced to move backward, as seen against Ian Garry. However, Maddalena lacks Garry's kicking and footwork skills, forcing him to rely on boxing to control distance, which creates risk of eating Prates' powerful counters. Even if Maddalena wins early rounds, Prates remains dangerous until the final seconds, as Garry discovered when he dominated four rounds but nearly lost in the fifth. The piece questions whether Maddalena, who was hit cleanly by Belal Muhammad, can maintain perfect defensive discipline for 25 minutes while pressuring Prates. The conclusion is that Maddalena's only path to victory requires 25 minutes of pressure with flawless defense, which the analyst does not believe is realistic, leading to a prediction favoring Prates.