An in-depth fight analysis examined why Jack Della Maddalena lost to Carlos Prates. Approximately 90% of Maddalena's defense consisted of boxing blocks, which proved ineffective against Prates' tornado of kicks, elbows, knees, and punches. Maddalena fought extensively in southpaw stance despite having his left leg damaged by Makhachev previously, when orthodox preparation seemed necessary. When switching to orthodox, Prates destroyed his left side with middle kicks. Maddalena lacked the speed and aggression needed to pressure Prates, who proved too versatile and confident. The analyst admitted underestimating Prates' all-around striking and ability to enter a flow state, comparing him to a hybrid of Alex Pereira and Anderson Silva. Regarding a potential Makhachev fight, the analysis notes Prates' dangerous low kicks against southpaws but questions whether he could survive Makhachev's grappling pressure.
A detailed striking breakdown published on May 2 has laid out the tactical reasons behind Jack Della Maddalena's defeat to Carlos Prates, exposing specific defensive habits that the Australian welterweight was unable to correct during the fight.
Della Maddalena, 29, carries a record of 18-4-0 and sits fourth in the welterweight division, ranked 13th pound-for-pound. The switch-hitter out of Scrappy MMA is one of the most active offensive strikers in the division, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute, but the analysis argues that his defense told a different story against Prates. Roughly 90 percent of his defensive work consisted of boxing blocks — a shell that proved largely useless against Prates' varied attack of kicks, elbows, and knees. Compounding the problem, Maddalena spent much of the bout in southpaw stance despite having his left leg damaged in a prior bout with Islam Makhachev. When he did shift to orthodox, Prates immediately targeted that compromised left side with middle kicks.
The analyst conducting the breakdown also admitted to having underestimated Prates, describing the Brazilian as a hybrid of Alex Pereira and Anderson Silva — the latter a 34-11-0 southpaw legend known for a 61 percent striking accuracy mark across his career. The comparison speaks to the kind of fluid, multi-dimensional striking Prates brought to the cage that Della Maddalena simply lacked the foot speed and forward pressure to disrupt.
Why it matters
- Della Maddalena's defensive blueprint has now been publicly mapped, giving future opponents a clear game plan built around kicking and mixed weapons
- The analysis raises questions about how his camp addresses southpaw stance usage given his recurring left-leg vulnerability
- Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev holds a 28-1-0 record with 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, and the breakdown notes that while Prates' low kicks pose a threat to southpaws, surviving Makhachev's grappling pressure represents a separate and significant challenge for any contender
