Key question for Maddalena vs Prates: who will move backward in center exchanges

An in-depth tactical analysis examines the central question of the Maddalena versus Prates fight: whether there will be a head-to-head clash in the center, and if not, who will retreat. Prates has knocked down opponents 11 times in the UFC while moving forward and rarely moves backward except briefly against Neil. Maddalena similarly builds his game on forward movement and has almost never been seen retreating. If they clash in the center, the odds don't favor Maddalena, who absorbed over 50 clean straight punches against Belal, while Prates needs only one to finish. Maddalena's advantage lies in short combination boxing and counter-striking, as Prates struggles at mid-to-close boxing range. Ian Garry's success came from perfectly timing and avoiding Prates' left straight while using his size, speed, kicks, and distance control. The analysis suggests Maddalena must force Prates backward and pressure him against the cage, but this requires significant risk-taking and may still leave him vulnerable to Prates' knockout power.