Jack Della Maddalena shared his strategy for his upcoming bout against Carlos Prates, stating he plans to drag Prates into "deep waters" and expects the fight to go the full distance. Della Maddalena appears confident in his cardio and ability to compete over five rounds. The post asks fans whether they believe the fight will reach a decision or end by the third round. No specific event or date was mentioned in the post.
Jack Della Maddalena has laid out his game plan for his welterweight clash with Carlos Prates, saying he intends to drag "The Nightmare" into deep waters and fully expects the fight to go the championship distance.
The Australian standout carries an 18-4 record into the matchup and sits fourth in the welterweight rankings, also checking in at number 13 in the pound-for-pound standings. The 29-year-old out of Scrappy MMA is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy. His comments signal a belief that his conditioning will be the decisive edge if the fight extends into the later rounds.
Prates, a 32-year-old Brazilian fighting out of Vale Top Team, enters ranked fifth at 170 pounds with a record of 24-7. Known as "The Nightmare," the six-foot-one southpaw-turned-switch hitter carries a 78-inch reach — three inches longer than Della Maddalena's 73-inch frame — and lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate. His length and precision make him a dangerous opponent in the early going, which is presumably why Della Maddalena is betting on attrition.
Why it matters
- Both men are top-five welterweights, making this a genuine title-eliminator-level contest
- Della Maddalena's volume striking against Prates's accuracy and reach advantage sets up a compelling stylistic puzzle
- If Della Maddalena's cardio-over-distance strategy pays off, a win could push him firmly into championship contention from the fourth spot
- Prates will need to use his reach and efficiency to keep the fight from becoming a war of attrition in the championship rounds
