Analysis: Prates defeats Maddalena with leg kicks, diverse striking arsenal

A detailed fight analysis reveals that Jack Della Maddalena relied heavily on boxing blocks for defense, which proved ineffective against Carlos Prates's diverse attack of kicks, elbows, knees, and punches. Maddalena surprisingly fought mostly in southpaw stance despite Prates targeting his left leg, which became visibly red by the second round. Maddalena's best chance would have been aggressive pressure against the cage, but he lacked the speed and was cautious after eating a knee. Prates demonstrated complete confidence and used his length effectively. The analysis notes that Prates destroyed the lead legs of southpaws Leon Edwards and Maddalena in the first round, with 4-5 leg kicks undermining movement and 10-15 potentially causing knockouts. For a potential Makhachev fight, the question is whether Prates can maintain his striking effectiveness after being pressured on the ground for a full round.