This is an incredible main event and a really hard fight to pick. Both of these guys are high level strikers but they go about it very differently. JDM, while accurate and powerful, is a volume based striker who uses clean boxing to enter and exit the pocket where Carlos Prates throws fewer strikes but has more variety, more accuracy and more power. I would actually be all of Prates here if I trusted he would be busier. A fight that worries me on the Prates side is Trevin Giles. Now of course he finished Trevin in the second round, but Trevin doubled Prates' strikes and had his head snapping with a jab. Ian Garry was also having success with a simple jab and foot movement. Ian Garry was also almost finished at the end of that fight. So if you are on the JDM side, you need to worry about Prates' power, even late and if you're on Prates' side, you need to worry about volume. I have no reason to think that JDM is chinny so I am going to lean that side. I think he can stay busy and stay safe. I also wouldn't be surprised if he utilized some of the wrestling and BJJ that he worked for the Islam fight. So JDM is the pick but this will likely be a nail biter.
Jack Della Maddalena
Jack Maddalena is a high volume striker with an incredible jab. He plots forward on his toes pumps that snappy jab. If his opponent throws back, he does a great job leaving the pocket then re-entering to start firing away again. He has solid power, a nose that faces the wrong direction and jiu jitsu when he needs it. His takedown defense is solid and sits at 64% but he was not able to defend any in his title loss to Islam.
Carlos Prates
Carlos Prates is a dangerous striker with big power and range control. He is pretty light on his feet and manages to throw kicks to any body part whenever he wants. He will launch head kicks on the drop of a dime, he will throw spinning kicks and he will defend most takedowns that come his way. His power and accuracy are absolutely insane. He also has suprisingly good cardio for a smoker and the confidence of a world champion. He is coming off the meme'd win over Leon Edwards.
