Carlos Prates revealed that he and Ian Garry have discussed a plan to eventually meet in a title fight. According to Prates, the plan involves him defeating Maddalena and Garry beating Makhachev, after which they would fight for the belt in Brazil. Prates stated that Garry called him approximately three weeks ago to discuss this scenario. He believes the UFC would make the fight happen and suggested it could be a rematch if Garry wins the championship. The plan is highly speculative and depends on both fighters winning their next bouts against different opponents. Neither fighter currently holds a UFC title, making this more of an aspirational roadmap than a confirmed booking.
Carlos Prates has revealed that he and Ian Garry have mapped out an ambitious shared vision: a title fight between the two welterweights, potentially on Brazilian soil, contingent on both men winning their upcoming bouts.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," said Garry reached out to him roughly three weeks ago to float the scenario. The plan, as Prates described it, calls for him to get past his next opponent Maddalena, Garry to defeat welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, and the two of them to then collide for the belt — potentially as a rematch, should the two have met previously by that point. Prates believes the UFC would be willing to make that fight a reality.
The 32-year-old Brazilian sits at number five in the welterweight rankings and has built a reputation as one of the division's most dangerous strikers. Fighting out of Vale Top Team, the six-foot-one southpaw-switch hitter lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy and carries a 78-inch reach that causes problems at range. His record stands at 24-7.
Standing in the way of that vision is Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion. The 34-year-old Russian is 28-1 and ranked at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. Fighting out of Eagles MMA, Makhachev is a complete mixed martial artist — he lands 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and averages 1.1 submission attempts in the same span, while also connecting at 58 percent striking accuracy.
Why it matters
- Prates at number five is one win away from a legitimate title conversation in a loaded welterweight division
- A Garry victory over Makhachev would be one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history, making the entire scenario a long-shot proposition
- If both men were to advance, a potential title fight in Brazil would carry enormous commercial appeal for the UFC
- The call-out illustrates the welterweight division's depth and the number of fighters positioning themselves for a championship opportunity
