Maddalena-Prates analysis: Who retreats in center-cage battle?

The key question for Maddalena vs Prates is whether there will be a head-on collision in the center, and if not, who will be forced to retreat. Prates has knocked down opponents 11 times in the UFC while moving forward and rarely backs up except briefly against Neil Magny. Maddalena is similarly built on forward pressure and has never been seen retreating. The analysis suggests if they clash in the center, the odds favor Prates, as Maddalena absorbed over 50 clean head punches from Belal Muhammad while Prates only needs one. Maddalena's advantage lies in short combination boxing and counter-striking at mid-range, where Prates struggles. Ian Garry succeeded against Prates through size, speed, varied striking including leg kicks, and exceptional ability to read and evade the left straight. The breakdown concludes that Maddalena must force Prates backward and smother him with volume, predicting a Maddalena decision or TKO in rounds 3-4.