Maddalena vs. Prates hinges on who controls center and forces retreat

A detailed tactical preview of Maddalena vs. Prates focuses on the central question of who will move forward and who will retreat. Prates has dropped opponents 11 times in the UFC while moving forward and rarely goes backward except briefly against Neil. Maddalena similarly builds his game on forward movement and has never been seen retreating significantly. The analysis suggests if they clash in the center, Maddalena is at risk because he absorbed over 50 clean head strikes from Belal, while Prates needs only one. Maddalena's advantage lies in short-range combination boxing and counter-striking, areas where Prates struggles. The piece notes Garry succeeded by feeling Prates's left straight on a millimeter level and having the size, speed, and kicking game to control distance safely. Maddalena must rely primarily on boxing to force Prates backward, which is dangerous but could work given his power and accuracy. The author predicts Maddalena will force Prates to retreat and win by decision or TKO in rounds 3-4.