Belal Muhammad correctly forecasted how the Carlos Prates versus Jack Della Maddalena bout would unfold. Muhammad had advised that Islam Makhachev landed effective low kicks in a previous fight, and recommended working the legs, attacking the arms, and striking the head including with kicks. He explained that adding these kicks would make Jack think twice before attacking since he often gets hit, noting that Jack can absorb one strike and return three, but against Prates no fighter would want to eat even one shot. Fans joked that Belal should consider a career as an analyst given his accurate prediction.
Belal Muhammad earned widespread praise from fans after his breakdown of the Carlos Prates versus Jack Della Maddalena welterweight bout proved to be remarkably accurate in how the fight unfolded.
Muhammad had pointed to his own experience sharing the octagon with Islam Makhachev as a key reference point, noting that Makhachev used effective low kicks to disrupt his rhythm. Building on that, Muhammad recommended that Prates work the legs, attack the arms, and mix in head kicks to keep Della Maddalena guessing. The logic was straightforward: Della Maddalena absorbs a shot and fires back with three, but Muhammad argued that against Prates, no fighter would want to willingly eat even a single strike.
Carlos Prates, known as The Nightmare, carries a 24-7 record and holds the number-five ranking in the welterweight division. The 32-year-old Brazilian out of Vale Top Team stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, making him a constant offensive threat with genuine finishing power.
Jack Della Maddalena enters ranked fourth in the welterweight division and 13th in the pound-for-pound standings, carrying an 18-4 record. The 29-year-old Australian trains out of Scrappy MMA and is one of the most active strikers in the division, averaging an eye-catching 5.57 significant strikes per minute, though his 51 percent accuracy leaves openings for opponents willing to counter.
Why it matters
- Muhammad's analysis highlighted a clear stylistic blueprint for neutralizing Della Maddalena's aggressive counter-punching game
- Prates, with his longer reach and varied attack, was identified as a fighter capable of making Della Maddalena hesitate before committing
- The result carries divisional weight, with both fighters ranked inside the welterweight top five and the division's title picture continuing to develop
