Tactical breakdown: Will Maddalena or Prates retreat at UFC Perth?

An in-depth analysis examines the central tactical question of the Jack Della Maddalena versus Carlos Prates bout at UFC Perth: which fighter, if either, will be willing to fight moving backward. Both fighters have built their careers on forward pressure and aggressive striking. Prates has dropped 11 opponents in the UFC while moving forward and relies on his devastating left straight, which requires him to advance to create proper spacing. Maddalena similarly has rarely retreated in his UFC career, relying on forward movement and exchanges. The analyst suggests that if both meet in the center, Maddalena faces significant danger, having absorbed over 50 clean punches against Belal Muhammad, while Prates needs only one clean shot to finish fights. Maddalena's potential advantages lie in short-range combination boxing and counter-striking, areas where Prates has shown vulnerability against fighters like Trevin Giles and Ian Garry. The breakdown notes that Garry's success came from superior distance management, speed, leg kicks, and an exceptional ability to read Prates's left hand. Maddalena may lack Garry's physical advantages but hits harder and could force Prates backward, applying pressure at close range. The analyst predicts Maddalena will pressure Prates to the cage, overwhelm him with volume striking, and secure a decision or TKO finish in rounds three or four, though acknowledges the bout presents a tactical puzzle that could produce a UFC classic.