A detailed breakdown of the upcoming Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates welterweight bout analyzes the stylistic matchup. Maddalena's pressure-fighting style could work against Prates, who struggles when forced to retreat, but the Australian lacks the kicking game and footwork that Ian Garry used successfully against the Brazilian. Prates remains dangerous throughout 25 minutes with his knockout power, as demonstrated when he nearly finished Garry despite losing four rounds. The analyst believes Maddalena's only path to victory is to pressure Prates for the full fight while maintaining perfect defensive discipline, which seems unlikely given that even Belal Muhammad landed cleanly on him. The prediction favors Prates due to his finishing ability.
A welterweight matchup between fourth-ranked Jack Della Maddalena and fifth-ranked Carlos Prates is drawing significant analytical attention ahead of their scheduled bout, with a recent breakdown laying out a complex stylistic puzzle for both fighters.
Della Maddalena, the 29-year-old Australian out of Scrappy MMA, carries an 18-4 record and currently sits at number 13 in the pound-for-pound rankings. The switch-stance welterweight is one of the division's most active offensive fighters, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach, his pressure-heavy approach has defined his rise through the rankings.
Carlos Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," is a 32-year-old Brazilian representing Vale Top Team. He holds a 24-7 record and stands one spot below Della Maddalena at fifth in the welterweight division. At six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, Prates carries a notable reach advantage and connects on 55 percent of his significant strikes. His finishing ability remains a constant threat across all five rounds, as the analysis notes he came close to stopping Ian Garry despite losing the majority of that fight.
Why it matters
- Both fighters sit in the top five of the welterweight division, making this a genuine contender bout with title implications
- The analysis identifies Prates as vulnerable when forced backward, but notes Della Maddalena lacks the kicking game and footwork Ian Garry used to exploit that tendency
- Defensive questions surround Della Maddalena after former champion Belal Muhammad, who lands 4.43 significant strikes per minute at just 43 percent accuracy, was still able to find him cleanly
- The analyst concludes that Prates's finishing power gives him the edge, arguing the discipline required of Della Maddalena over a full 25 minutes is too tall an order
