An extensive tactical analysis examined why Jack Della Maddalena lost to Carlos Prates. The breakdown noted that Maddalena relied heavily on a boxing guard defense, which proved ineffective against Prates' diverse arsenal of kicks, elbows, and knees. Maddalena fought primarily in southpaw stance rather than orthodox, allowing Prates to damage his left side with middle kicks. The Australian lacked the speed and aggression needed to pressure Prates effectively. Prates' confidence, power from all angles, and ability to use his reach advantage proved overwhelming. The analysis suggests that regardless of preparation, Prates would have finished Maddalena due to his superior striking versatility and momentum. For a potential Makhachev vs Prates bout, the breakdown notes Prates' leg kicks could threaten Makhachev's movement, but questions whether Prates can maintain his striking after being controlled on the ground.
A detailed tactical breakdown has examined the factors behind Jack Della Maddalena's defeat to Carlos Prates, dissecting why the Australian welterweight was unable to solve his opponent's striking on the night.
Della Maddalena, who holds a 18-4-0 record and is ranked fourth in the welterweight division, entered the fight as one of the more decorated strikers in the 170-pound bracket. The 29-year-old from Australia lands 5.57 significant strikes per minute, among the highest output figures in the division, but his 51 percent accuracy suggests opponents with smart movement and range management can expose him. The analysis found that Della Maddalena leaned heavily on a boxing guard that offered little protection against kicks, elbows, and knees, and that fighting predominantly in southpaw rather than his natural switch stance allowed Prates to repeatedly target his left side with middle kicks. The breakdown also noted he lacked the foot speed and forward pressure required to cut off Prates and impose his own game.
The piece goes on to assess what a potential matchup between Prates and reigning welterweight champion Islam Makhachev might look like. Makhachev carries a 28-1-0 record and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most dominant grapplers in the sport. The analysis acknowledges that Prates' leg kicks could disrupt Makhachev's footwork and movement, but raises the question of whether Prates can sustain his striking output after being taken down and controlled on the canvas.
Why it matters
- Della Maddalena's fourth-place divisional ranking means this loss reshapes the welterweight title picture heading into 2026.
- The breakdown highlights a specific technical vulnerability — boxing-heavy defense against diverse kickboxers — that opponents and coaches will now scrutinize.
- Any future Makhachev opponent must account for both elite grappling control and the champion's 58 percent striking accuracy if standing exchanges are unavoidable.
