Analysis: Will Maddalena or Prates retreat in center cage battle?

A detailed breakdown examines the central question of the Maddalena vs Prates fight: will there 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 moving forward and rarely retreats except briefly against Neil. Maddalena similarly builds his game on forward movement. The analysis notes Maddalena's vulnerability, having absorbed over 50 clean straight punches against Belal, while Prates only needs one. Maddalena has an advantage in short combination boxing and counter-striking at close range, where Prates struggles. Ian Garry's success came from feeling Prates' left straight on millimeters and having experience against southpaws, plus being bigger, faster, and more versatile. The prediction favors Maddalena by decision or TKO in rounds 3-4, expecting him to force Prates backward and overwhelm him with volume.