An in-depth analysis of Carlos Prates's victory over Jack Della Maddalena highlights several key tactical factors. Approximately 90% of Maddalena's defensive actions relied on a boxing block, which proved ineffective against Prates's varied arsenal of kicks, elbows, knees, and punches. Maddalena fought predominantly in southpaw stance despite having his left leg damaged by Islam Makhachev previously, and when switching to orthodox, Prates targeted his left side with middle kicks. Maddalena's chance lay in aggressive pressure and keeping Prates against the cage, but he lacked the speed and was cautious after eating a knee. The analysis suggests Prates would have won regardless of Maddalena's approach due to his versatility, confidence, and power from all angles. Looking ahead to a potential Islam Makhachev matchup, the breakdown notes that Prates has damaged the lead legs of both southpaw opponents Edwards and Maddalena with devastating low kicks. However, Makhachev's high-level striking, ability to disguise takedowns, and grinding top pressure could present different challenges.
A detailed tactical breakdown of Carlos Prates's victory over Jack Della Maddalena has surfaced, dissecting precisely why the Brazilian finished Australia's ranked contender and what it means for the welterweight division going forward.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," carries a 24-7 record and sits fifth in the UFC welterweight rankings at 32 years old. Standing six-foot-one with a remarkable 78-inch reach, the Vale Top Team product lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. The analysis credits his versatility as the central reason for the win, noting that his ability to combine kicks, elbows, knees, and punches from a switch stance left Maddalena with no reliable defensive answer.
Maddalena, ranked fourth at welterweight and 13th pound-for-pound, entered the fight at 29 years old with an 18-4 record. The Australian is one of the division's most prolific strikers, averaging 5.57 significant strikes per minute, but his defense relies overwhelmingly on a boxing block — a habit the breakdown identifies as his primary vulnerability. The analysis notes that Maddalena fought largely in a southpaw stance despite carrying damage to his left leg from a prior fight, and when he did switch to orthodox, Prates immediately targeted that compromised side with middle kicks.
Why it matters
- Prates has now demonstrated a clear pattern of attacking the lead legs of southpaw opponents, doing so against both Leon Edwards and Maddalena
- The win moves Prates one step closer to Islam Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion who holds a 28-1 record and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings at 34 years old
- Makhachev presents a distinct challenge: the analysis flags his 58 percent striking accuracy, his ability to disguise takedown entries, and his grinding top pressure as factors Prates has not yet faced at this level
- Makhachev's 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes would demand a grappling answer that the Prates breakdown does not yet account for
