Maddalena vs Prates hinges on who controls center and who retreats first

A detailed breakdown of the Maddalena vs Prates matchup focuses on whether there will be a center-cage clash and who will move backward. Prates has dropped opponents 11 times in the UFC while moving forward and has rarely backed up except briefly against Neil Magny. Maddalena similarly builds his game on forward pressure and has almost never been seen retreating. The analysis suggests Maddalena is at risk in a center-cage exchange, having absorbed over 50 clean head strikes against Belal Muhammad, while Prates only needs one clean shot. Maddalena's advantages include short combination boxing and counter-striking ability, which could force Prates backward. The author picks Maddalena to win by decision or TKO in rounds 3-4, believing he'll force Prates to retreat and outwork him with volume striking.