Carlos Prates and Ian Garry have discussed a plan that would see them meet in a championship bout in Brazil. According to Prates, Garry called him about three weeks ago to outline the scenario: Prates would defeat Maddalena, Garry would beat Makhachev, and then they would fight for the title in Brazil. Prates believes the UFC would make the fight happen, and if Garry wins the belt, they would have a rematch. The post notes that while the plan sounds interesting, the question remains whether they can execute it.
Carlos Prates has revealed that Ian Garry reached out to him roughly three weeks ago with a bold proposal: both fighters win their upcoming bouts, then collide for the welterweight title in Brazil.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," laid out the scenario publicly. Garry's plan calls for Prates to get past Maddalena, Garry to defeat Makhachev, and the UFC to then sanction a title fight on Brazilian soil. Prates added that if Garry captures the belt and they eventually meet, a rematch would also be part of the arrangement. Prates expressed belief that the UFC would be willing to make the fight happen should both men hold up their end.
The 32-year-old Brazilian brings a 24-7 record into his next assignment and is currently ranked fifth in the welterweight division. Fighting out of Vale Top Team, Prates is a physically imposing welterweight who stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 55 percent, numbers that reflect a genuinely high-output and efficient offense.
Why it matters
- A title fight in Brazil would carry enormous commercial weight for the UFC in one of its most passionate markets.
- Prates at number five in the division is within realistic striking distance of a title shot, but first needs a win over Maddalena.
- The plan hinges entirely on Garry defeating a champion in Makhachev, a significant obstacle that would reshape the welterweight landscape entirely.
- If the blueprint holds, the welterweight title picture could look drastically different heading into the back half of 2026.
