Detailed analysis reveals that Jack Della Maddalena relied heavily on a boxing block for defense, which proved ineffective against Carlos Prates' diverse striking arsenal of kicks, elbows, knees, and punches. Della Maddalena fought primarily in a southpaw stance despite having his left leg damaged by Makhachev previously, and Prates punished his left side with mid-kicks throughout the fight. The analyst noted Della Maddalena lacked the speed and aggression needed to pressure Prates effectively, while Prates showed exceptional versatility and confidence. Regarding a potential Makhachev vs. Prates matchup, the analysis suggests Prates poses significant threats with leg kicks and strikes, but questions whether he could maintain effectiveness after being controlled on the ground. The piece also suggests the UFC may need to decide between booking Prates against Makhachev directly or having him face Moicano first to determine a clear contender.
