A detailed analysis reveals Jack Della Maddalena relied heavily on a boxing block defense, which proved ineffective against Carlos Prates' varied striking arsenal of kicks, elbows, knees, and punches. Maddalena fought primarily in southpaw stance despite his left leg being previously damaged by Islam Makhachev, and Prates punished his left side with middle kicks throughout. The analyst notes Maddalena lacked the speed and aggression needed to pressure Prates effectively. Regarding a potential Makhachev vs Prates fight, the post highlights that Prates has destroyed the lead legs of southpaw fighters Leon Edwards and Maddalena with low kicks in the first round, presenting a significant threat to the southpaw Makhachev. However, the analyst questions whether Prates can maintain his effectiveness after potentially being controlled on the ground. The post suggests UFC must decide whether to match Prates with Bryan Morales to determine a clear contender or save him for Makhachev.
