Australian welterweight Jack Della Maddalena has outlined his strategy for facing Carlos Prates, stating he plans to drag the Brazilian into the later rounds. Della Maddalena expects the fight to go the full distance, suggesting he believes he can outlast Prates in championship rounds. This approach indicates Della Maddalena may be targeting Prates' cardio or durability over five rounds. The post asks fans whether they believe the bout will indeed reach a decision. Della Maddalena's comments suggest a strategic approach focused on pace and stamina rather than seeking an early finish.
Australian welterweight Jack Della Maddalena has revealed his tactical blueprint for his upcoming clash with Brazil's Carlos Prates, making clear he intends to push the fight into the championship rounds and test Prates' stamina over the full five frames.
Della Maddalena, ranked fourth in the welterweight division and 13th pound-for-pound, carries an 18-4 record into the contest. 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. A switch-stance fighter standing five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach, he has built his reputation on relentless output and forward pressure rather than seeking single-shot finishes.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," sits one spot below at fifth in the welterweight rankings with a 24-7 record. The 32-year-old Brazilian trains out of Vale Top Team and presents a different offensive profile — landing 3.77 significant strikes per minute but connecting at a sharper 55 percent accuracy. At six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, Prates holds significant physical advantages and owns a two-inch reach edge that figures to shape the early exchanges.
Why it matters
- Both fighters rank inside the welterweight top five, meaning the winner could push directly into title contention
- Della Maddalena's stated gameplan directly targets the championship rounds, framing the matchup as a battle of pace and durability
- The contrast in striking volume — Della Maddalena throwing far more per minute against Prates' higher accuracy — sets up a compelling stylistic tension
- Both men fight out of a switch stance, adding an extra layer of technical complexity to the stand-up chess match
Della Maddalena's comments signal confidence in his conditioning and suggest he views wearing Prates down over five rounds as his clearest path to victory, rather than hunting an early stoppage.
