Carlos Prates revealed details of a verbal exchange with Jack Della Maddalena during their fight. When Della Maddalena attempted a takedown, Prates challenged him, asking if he had become a grappler. Della Maddalena responded that he was well-rounded and versatile. Prates then accused him of being scared, saying "you're afraid of me." According to Prates, this moment confirmed that Della Maddalena was genuinely frightened during the fight. Prates believes he successfully got into his opponent's head.
Carlos Prates has opened up about a telling moment from his fight with Jack Della Maddalena, claiming a brief grappling exchange revealed that his opponent was genuinely scared during their bout.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," recounted that when Della Maddalena shot for a takedown, the Brazilian immediately called him out, questioning whether the Australian had suddenly become a grappler. Della Maddalena reportedly replied that he was well-rounded and versatile, but Prates pushed further, telling him directly that he was afraid. Prates has since pointed to that exchange as confirmation that he had successfully gotten inside Della Maddalena's head.
Prates carries a 24-7 record and is currently ranked fifth in the UFC welterweight division. The 32-year-old from Brazil trains out of Vale Top Team and brings a notable physical edge to the matchup, standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach. He lands significant strikes at a rate of 3.77 per minute and connects on 55 percent of his attempts.
Della Maddalena enters the exchange ranked fourth in the division and thirteenth in the pound-for-pound standings, making him one of the more decorated welterweights on the roster. The 29-year-old Australian out of Scrappy MMA stands five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach. He is one of the division's more active strikers, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy, though his grappling output is limited, averaging just 0.13 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Prates and Della Maddalena are separated by just one spot in the welterweight rankings, giving this rivalry clear divisional stakes
- A win for either fighter would strengthen the case for a top-three matchup
- The contrasting physical profiles — Prates holding a five-inch reach advantage — add an intriguing layer to the striking-based style both fighters favor
- Prates's claim that he won the mental battle could signal an attempt to sustain psychological pressure heading into any future engagement
