Analysis: Prates' striking versatility overwhelmed Della Maddalena's defense

A detailed post-fight analysis reveals that Jack Della Maddalena relied heavily on a boxing-style guard for approximately 90% of his defensive actions against Carlos Prates, which proved ineffective against Prates' diverse striking arsenal of kicks, elbows, knees, and punches. Della Maddalena's block was described as porous, allowing many straight punches through, and he lacked the explosive counter-punching ability to capitalize from the defensive position. The analysis notes that Della Maddalena fought mostly in southpaw stance despite concerns about his left leg vulnerability shown in the Makhachev fight, and when he did switch to orthodox, Prates punished his left side with mid-kicks. The breakdown suggests Della Maddalena's gameplan should have involved more aggressive first-strike work and cage control, but he lacked the speed and was intimidated after taking a knee. Regarding a potential Makhachev vs Prates matchup, the analysis notes that as a southpaw, Makhachev would be vulnerable to Prates' leg kicks which have proven devastating to southpaw opponents, though Makhachev's high-level striking and wrestling could neutralize Prates after ground control.