How AgentMMA breaks down Islam Makhachev vs Carlos Prates
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UFC Record Breakdown
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Islam Makhachev vs Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 336 in Las Vegas has a nasty twist: the champion's control meets a challenger whose grappling can turn a scramble dangerous. Fans have reason to get excited about this welterweight title fight, because Rakhmonov's return brings questions that a perfect record cannot answer. He last fought in December 2024, and reports of ongoing knee problems make his movement worth watching from the opening bell. Here's the thing: Ian Machado Garry is the obvious link between them, but he is not a shortcut to reading this matchup.
- Rakhmonov returns with knee questions that his perfect record cannot answer
- Both beat Ian Machado Garry, but that only starts the conversation
- Welterweight gold puts tight control against the threat of back takes
The fight is most likely to open up in rounds 2 and 3, as repeated takedown attempts and escapes begin to test both men's pace.
Rakhmonov beat him by unanimous decision at UFC 310, and Makhachev did the same at UFC 330. Makhachev also went the distance in his unanimous decision win over Jack Della Maddalena, while Rakhmonov submitted Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal. The fun part is what happens after the first takedown attempt, not just whether it lands. Makhachev needs to keep his positions tight and make Rakhmonov work to stand up, while Rakhmonov needs room to turn, separate and threaten the back.
Each escape creates another wrestling exchange, and those repeated efforts can make holding a steady pace harder. The belt raises the stakes, but the early exchanges should answer the most useful question. Can Rakhmonov find his rhythm after the layoff without letting Makhachev settle into long stretches of control?
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Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev finish map
UFC Record Breakdown
Islam Makhachev breakdown
Performance Breakdown
Islam Makhachev's recent form
Islam Makhachev vs Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 336 in Las Vegas has a nasty twist: the champion's control meets a challenger whose grappling can turn a scramble dangerous. Fans have reason to get excited about this welterweight title fight, because Rakhmonov's return brings questions that a perfect record cannot answer. He last fought in December 2024, and reports of ongoing knee problems make his movement worth watching from the opening bell. Here's the thing: Ian Machado Garry is the obvious link between them, but he is not a shortcut to reading this matchup.
- Rakhmonov returns with knee questions that his perfect record cannot answer
- Both beat Ian Machado Garry, but that only starts the conversation
- Welterweight gold puts tight control against the threat of back takes
The fight is most likely to open up in rounds 2 and 3, as repeated takedown attempts and escapes begin to test both men's pace.
Rakhmonov beat him by unanimous decision at UFC 310, and Makhachev did the same at UFC 330. Makhachev also went the distance in his unanimous decision win over Jack Della Maddalena, while Rakhmonov submitted Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal. The fun part is what happens after the first takedown attempt, not just whether it lands. Makhachev needs to keep his positions tight and make Rakhmonov work to stand up, while Rakhmonov needs room to turn, separate and threaten the back.
Each escape creates another wrestling exchange, and those repeated efforts can make holding a steady pace harder. The belt raises the stakes, but the early exchanges should answer the most useful question. Can Rakhmonov find his rhythm after the layoff without letting Makhachev settle into long stretches of control?
Premium analysis preview is ready.
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Carlos Prates
Carlos Prates finish map
UFC Record Breakdown
Carlos Prates breakdown
Performance Breakdown
Carlos Prates's recent form
