Detailed tactical breakdown of Della Maddalena vs Prates favors neither clearly

An extensive analysis of the Jack Della Maddalena versus Carlos Prates matchup explores the central tactical question of who will move forward and who will retreat. Both fighters have built their success on moving forward, with Prates landing 11 knockdowns in the UFC while advancing and Della Maddalena rarely backing up. If they clash in the center, Della Maddalena faces danger because he absorbed over 50 clean head strikes against Belal Muhammad, while Prates needs only one clean shot. Della Maddalena's advantages include short combination boxing and counter-striking at close range, where Prates is weaker. The analysis notes that Ian Garry succeeded by reading Prates' left straight on millimeter precision and using his size, speed, and diverse kicking game. Della Maddalena will likely rely more heavily on boxing and must keep Prates retreating and overwhelmed with volume. Despite the complex tactical puzzle, the writer leans toward Della Maddalena by decision or TKO in rounds 3-4, based more on preference than calculation.