Carlos Prates and Ian Garry have discussed a potential plan that would see them meet in a championship bout. According to the plan, Prates would defeat Maddalena while Garry beats Makhachev, setting up a title fight between them in Brazil. Prates revealed the conversation occurred about three weeks ago. If Garry wins the belt, it would set up a rematch scenario between the two fighters. The plan remains speculative and dependent on both fighters winning their respective upcoming bouts.
Carlos Prates has revealed that he and Ian Garry discussed a hypothetical roadmap that could lead to a welterweight title fight between the two, though the plan is entirely speculative and hinges on a pair of results that have yet to happen.
According to Prates, the conversation took place roughly three weeks ago. The scenario outlined would see Prates defeat Joaquin Buckley Maddalena while Garry beats current champion Islam Makhachev, which would then set up a championship rematch between Prates and Garry — with Brazil as the proposed destination for that bout. Neither fighter has officially confirmed any formal agreement, and the plan depends entirely on both men winning their respective upcoming fights.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," is ranked fifth in the welterweight division and carries a 24-7 record. The 32-year-old Brazilian trains out of Vale Top Team and stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach — a significant physical presence at 170 pounds. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, making him one of the more active volume strikers in the division.
Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion, holds a 28-1 record and is ranked among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. The 34-year-old Russian fights out of Eagles MMA and brings a well-rounded skill set, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.1 submission attempts in the same span. He also lands strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate.
Why it matters
- A Prates title shot would represent a significant rise for a fighter currently ranked fifth at welterweight
- The proposed Brazil setting adds a promotional layer that could drive major interest from South American fans
- Garry defeating Makhachev would be one of the biggest upsets in recent welterweight history, making the entire scenario dependent on a major result
