Tactical breakdown of Della Maddalena vs Prates centers on who retreats first

A detailed tactical analysis examines the key question in the Della Maddalena versus Prates fight: 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 rarely retreats, while Della Maddalena has also never been seen moving backward except in brief moments. The analysis notes Della Maddalena absorbed over 50 clean straight punches against Belal Muhammad, and Prates only needs one to finish fights. However, Della Maddalena has advantages in short combination boxing and counter-striking on the mid-to-close range. The breakdown references how Ian Garry successfully worked against Prates by feeling the left straight on millimeters and always escaping it, likely due to extensive sparring with southpaws. The prediction favors Della Maddalena to force Prates backward and win by decision or TKO in rounds 3-4.