Analysis: Maddalena vs Prates hinges on who controls center and moves forward

The key question in the Maddalena versus Prates fight is whether there will be a head-on collision in the center of the octagon, 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. Maddalena also relies on moving forward and has rarely been seen retreating. The analysis suggests if they clash in the center, Maddalena is at a disadvantage because he absorbed over 50 clean head strikes from Belal Muhammad, while Prates only needs one punch. Maddalena's advantage lies in his short combination boxing and counter-striking, as Prates struggles at close-to-mid boxing range. The analyst references Ian Garry's success against Prates, noting Garry's exceptional ability to read and avoid the left straight on millimeter-level precision. Maddalena hits harder than Garry and could pressure Prates, but the prediction favors Maddalena by decision or TKO in rounds 3-4.