A detailed breakdown reveals Jack Della Maddalena relied heavily on a boxing block defense against Carlos Prates, which proved ineffective against Prates' diverse arsenal of kicks, elbows, knees, and punches. Maddalena fought predominantly in a southpaw stance despite previous leg damage from Islam Makhachev, allowing Prates to punish his left side with middle kicks. Maddalena's chance was to be the aggressor and push Prates to the fence, but he lacked the speed and aggression needed. The analysis suggests Prates' belief in himself, universal striking ability, and use of different angles with elbows, knees, and punches were overwhelming. Looking ahead to a potential Islam Makhachev fight, the post notes Prates has successfully damaged the lead legs of southpaws Leon Edwards and Maddalena, and can finish fights with low kicks. However, Makhachev's high-level striking and wrestling could present challenges, particularly if he can secure takedowns and apply ground control.
A recent technical breakdown of Carlos Prates' victory over Jack Della Maddalena concludes that the Brazilian's striking diversity was the decisive factor, exposing critical defensive flaws in the Australian's game plan.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," carries a 24-7 record and sits ranked fifth in the welterweight division at 32 years old. The six-foot-one Brazilian, training out of Vale Top Team, brings a 78-inch reach and lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. The analysis credits his ability to attack from multiple angles — combining elbows, knees, middle kicks, and punches — as the core reason Maddalena's defense crumbled.
Della Maddalena, ranked fourth at welterweight and 13th pound-for-pound, entered the fight at 18-4 and just 29 years of age. The five-foot-eleven Australian is one of the division's most prolific strikers, averaging 5.57 significant strikes per minute, but his reliance on a traditional boxing block proved poorly suited to Prates' diverse attack. The breakdown notes Maddalena fought predominantly from a southpaw stance despite carrying prior leg damage from a previous bout with Islam Makhachev, leaving his left side vulnerable to repeated middle kicks. His path to victory, according to the analysis, required pushing Prates to the fence with aggression — something he lacked the speed and initiative to execute.
Why it matters
- Prates has now demonstrated a pattern of damaging the lead legs of southpaw opponents, including both Leon Edwards and Maddalena, suggesting a repeatable game plan.
- A potential matchup with welterweight champion Islam Makhachev looms, though the analysis flags Makhachev's high-level striking and a takedown rate of 3.2 per 15 minutes as significant complications.
- Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and lands takedowns at a rate that could neutralize Prates' stand-up entirely if he secures consistent ground control.
- The divisional picture at 170 pounds tightens considerably with Prates now positioned as a credible title contender.
