A detailed post-fight analysis reveals that Jack Della Maddalena relied heavily on a boxing block for defense, which proved ineffective against Carlos Prates's diverse striking arsenal of kicks, elbows, knees, and punches. Della Maddalena fought predominantly in a southpaw stance despite having his left leg damaged by Makhachev in a previous fight, and Prates exploited this by targeting his left side with middle kicks. The analyst notes that Della Maddalena lacked the speed and aggression needed to pressure Prates effectively, and Prates's confidence and versatility allowed him to dominate at all ranges. The post suggests that regardless of preparation, Prates would likely have finished Della Maddalena due to his superior striking diversity and momentum. Looking ahead to a potential Makhachev vs Prates matchup, the analyst notes that Prates has successfully damaged the lead legs of southpaw opponents like Edwards and Della Maddalena, posing a threat to Makhachev's striking approach.
