Analysis: Maddalena vs Prates hinges on who controls the center

A detailed tactical breakdown examines the upcoming Jack Della Maddalena vs Carlos Prates fight, focusing on the critical question of who will move backward, as both fighters typically press forward. Prates has dropped 11 opponents in the UFC while moving forward and rarely retreats except against Neil Magny, needing space to land his powerful left straight. Maddalena similarly builds his game on forward pressure and has rarely been seen moving backward except in brief moments. The analysis suggests if both meet in the center, Maddalena is at risk because he absorbed over 50 clean straight punches from Belal Muhammad, while Prates needs only one clean shot to finish fights. Maddalena's advantages lie in his short-range combination boxing and counterstriking ability, areas where Prates has shown vulnerability against opponents like Trevin Giles and Ian Garry. The author predicts Maddalena will force Prates backward, overwhelm him with volume striking, and potentially finish the fight by TKO or decision in rounds 3-4.