Analyst breaks down Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates tactical matchup

A detailed fight analysis examines the upcoming bout between Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates, focusing on whether either fighter will be willing to move backward. Prates has dropped opponents 11 times in the UFC while moving forward and relies on creating space for his left straight, rarely retreating except briefly against Neil Magny. Della Maddalena similarly builds his game on forward pressure and has almost never been seen retreating. The analyst notes that if they clash in the center, Della Maddalena faces danger as he absorbed over 50 clean straight punches against Belal Muhammad, while Prates only needs one clean shot as demonstrated in his knockout of Trevin Giles. Della Maddalena's advantages include short-range combination boxing and counter-striking, areas where Prates struggles when pressured to the fence. The analysis references Ian Garry's success against Prates through excellent distance management and reading the left straight. Despite the tactical puzzle, the analyst favors Della Maddalena to force Prates backward, overwhelm him with strikes, and secure a decision or TKO in rounds 3-4.