A comprehensive analysis reveals Jack Della Maddalena relied heavily on a boxing block defense, which proved ineffective against Carlos Prates' tornado of kicks, elbows, knees, and punches. Della Maddalena fought mostly in southpaw stance despite having his left leg damaged by Makhachev previously, and Prates exploited this by attacking his left side with mid-kicks. The analyst notes Della Maddalena lacked the speed and aggression needed, while Prates displayed exceptional versatility, striking from all angles with equal power. Prates is described as a combination of Pereira and Anderson Silva who thrives in open exchanges. The piece also analyzes a potential Makhachev vs Prates matchup, noting that Prates has destroyed the lead leg of southpaw opponents like Edwards and Della Maddalena with 10-15 low kicks potentially causing a knockout. However, Makhachev's high-level striking, tactical takedowns, and ground control could neutralize Prates after a round of pressure. The analyst suggests UFC might book Prates vs Moraes to determine a clear contender, which would be an extremely dangerous fight while Prates is riding high confidence.
A detailed technical breakdown of Carlos Prates' victory over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth has laid bare exactly how the Brazilian striker dismantled one of the welterweight division's most dangerous punchers.
The analysis centers on Della Maddalena's reliance on a traditional boxing block defense, a shell that offered little protection against Prates' multi-dimensional attack. Prates mixed kicks, elbows, knees, and punches from unpredictable angles, and the rigid defensive structure Della Maddalena employed simply could not account for that variety. The Australian, ranked fourth in the welterweight division and 13th in the pound-for-pound standings at 29 years old, carries an 18-4 record and generates an impressive 5.57 significant strikes per minute. Despite being a switch-hitter, he fought predominantly from a southpaw stance throughout the contest — a choice the analyst identifies as critical, given the prior leg damage Della Maddalena sustained from Islam Makhachev. Prates targeted that compromised left side repeatedly with mid-kicks, steadily eroding his opponent's base and mobility.
The breakdown describes Prates as a fusion of Alex Pereira's power and Anderson Silva's range and creativity. Silva, now 51, built a legacy on the same kind of unpredictable, all-angles striking — landing 3.05 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 61 percent accuracy across a 34-11 career — and the comparison underlines just how rare Prates' skillset is at 170 pounds.
Why it matters
- Della Maddalena's boxing-centric defense is exposed as a structural vulnerability against elite kickers and combination strikers
- Prates' ability to attack damaged lead legs in southpaw opponents raises serious questions for the wider welterweight division
- A potential Makhachev matchup presents a compelling tactical puzzle: Prates' leg kick volume could threaten the champion early, but Makhachev's 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and relentless ground control offer a clear path to neutralizing him
- The analyst floats a Prates versus Renato Moraes fight as a logical next step to identify a genuine title contender, a matchup that carries significant risk for both men
