Analysis: Della Maddalena vs. Prates hinges on who retreats first

A detailed tactical breakdown examines the upcoming Jack Della Maddalena versus Carlos Prates fight, focusing on the critical question of who will fight moving backward. Both fighters are accustomed to pressuring forward, with Prates having dropped opponents 11 times in the UFC while advancing and Della Maddalena similarly built around offensive aggression. The analysis suggests Della Maddalena may struggle if forced into a center-cage war, having absorbed over 50 clean head strikes against Belal Muhammad, while Prates needs only one clean shot. The piece notes that Ian Garry successfully handled Prates by feeling the left straight on millimeters and maintaining distance control. Della Maddalena's best path to victory likely involves forcing Prates backward with combination boxing and close-range pressure, where the Brazilian has shown less comfort. The prediction favors Della Maddalena by decision or TKO in rounds 3-4, contingent on his ability to control distance and volume.