A detailed fight analysis identified multiple tactical problems in Jack Della Maddalena's approach against Carlos Prates. Approximately 90% of Della Maddalena's defensive work relied on a boxing-style guard that proved inadequate against Prates' diverse striking arsenal of kicks, elbows, knees, and punches. Della Maddalena fought primarily in southpaw stance despite having his left leg damaged by Islam Makhachev previously, and when he switched to orthodox, Prates destroyed his left side with mid-kicks. The analysis notes Della Maddalena lacked the speed and aggression needed to pressure Prates effectively. Looking ahead to a potential Makhachev-Prates matchup, the breakdown suggests Prates has proven he can damage the lead leg of southpaw fighters with low kicks, even achieving knockouts with them. However, questions remain about whether Prates can maintain his confidence and power after being controlled on the ground. The post concludes by suggesting the UFC may need to match Prates against another contender before a title shot.
A recent fight breakdown has spotlighted the tactical shortcomings that contributed to Jack Della Maddalena's defeat against Carlos Prates, offering a granular look at why the Australian welterweight struggled to cope with the Brazilian's varied attack.
Della Maddalena, 29, carries an 18-4 record and holds the number-four ranking at welterweight, with a number-13 spot on the pound-for-pound list. Known for his high-volume striking — he lands 5.57 significant strikes per minute, one of the busiest outputs in the division — he nonetheless found his boxing-centric defensive shell exposed against a fighter who operates across multiple ranges. According to the analysis, roughly 90 percent of his defensive work relied on a boxing-style guard, leaving him open to kicks, elbows, and knees. Compounding matters, Della Maddalena continued to fight primarily in his southpaw stance despite carrying damage to his left leg from a prior bout with Islam Makhachev. When he shifted to orthodox, Prates reportedly punished his left side repeatedly with mid-kicks.
Prates, 32 and ranked fifth in the welterweight division, has built a 24-7 record fighting out of Vale Top Team. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach — the longest of the three fighters discussed — "The Nightmare" generates 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy and uses a switch stance to attack from unpredictable angles. The breakdown credited his low-kick game as a genuine weapon against southpaw opponents, noting it has produced knockouts at that level.
Why it matters
- Della Maddalena's defensive blueprint appears ill-suited to multi-dimensional strikers, a concern given the talent level at welterweight
- Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion fighting out of southpaw, shares the same lead-leg vulnerability the analysis flagged against Prates
- The breakdown suggests Prates may need another contender bout before a title shot, pointing to open questions about his ground durability after being controlled on the mat
