A comprehensive rewatch analysis reveals Carlos Prates completely outclassed Jack Della Maddalena through superior striking versatility. Maddalena's reliance on a boxing guard defense proved ineffective against Prates' tornado of kicks, elbows, knees and punches, with many strikes penetrating his porous block. Maddalena fought primarily in southpaw stance despite his left leg being damaged by Makhachev previously, and Prates badly damaged his left side with mid-kicks. The analysis notes Maddalena lacked the speed and aggression needed to pressure Prates against the cage, while Prates' diverse angles and supreme confidence made him overwhelming. The breakdown suggests Prates would have won regardless of Maddalena's preparation, comparing him to a hybrid of Alex Pereira and Anderson Silva. Looking ahead to a potential Makhachev fight, the post notes Prates' dangerous low kicks could compromise the champion's movement, though questions remain about how Prates would handle wrestling pressure.
A detailed post-fight breakdown circulating online makes the case that Carlos Prates was simply the better fighter on the night he defeated Jack Della Maddalena, with the analysis leaving little room to attribute the result to circumstance or preparation.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," holds a 24-7 record and is ranked fifth in the welterweight division. The 32-year-old Brazilian out of Vale Top Team stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, and the breakdown credits his switching, multi-weapon attack — incorporating kicks, knees, elbows, and punches from varied angles — as the central reason Maddalena had no answer. Landing 3.77 significant strikes per minute with 55 percent accuracy, Prates overwhelmed his opponent with sheer variety.
Maddalena, ranked fourth at welterweight and 13th pound-for-pound, entered the fight with a 18-4 record and a reputation built on heavy hands. The 29-year-old Australian from Scrappy MMA is one of the division's most active strikers at 5.57 significant strikes per minute, but the analysis argues his boxing-centric defensive guard left him exposed to Prates' kicks and elbows, with strikes regularly finding their way through his guard. The breakdown also notes that Maddalena fought primarily in a southpaw stance despite carrying damage to his left leg from a prior bout with Islam Makhachev, leaving that side vulnerable to Prates' repeated mid-kicks.
Why it matters
- Prates rises to sixth ranked with a win over a top-five fighter, shaking up the welterweight contender picture
- The style analysis raises questions about whether any welterweight can replicate Prates' kicking attack against Makhachev, the reigning champion
- Makhachev, 28-1 and carrying 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, presents the wrestling dimension the breakdown identifies as Prates' clearest remaining question mark
- Maddalena's defensive approach and stance selection are flagged as areas requiring adjustment going forward
