Carlos Prates and Ian Garry have discussed a plan where they would eventually meet for a title fight. According to Prates, the plan involves him defeating Madalena, Garry defeating Islam Makhachev, and then the two fighting each other in Brazil. Prates believes the UFC would make the fight happen if Garry wins the belt, setting up a rematch scenario. This appears to be a friendly agreement between the two fighters about their career trajectories. The post notes uncertainty about whether this ambitious plan will come to fruition despite being an appealing matchup.
Carlos Prates and Ian Garry have mapped out an ambitious shared vision for their careers that would ultimately bring them together for a welterweight title fight on Brazilian soil.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," laid out the roadmap publicly: he handles his business against Madalena, Garry defeats champion Islam Makhachev for the belt, and then the two meet in Brazil for the title. Prates expressed confidence that the UFC would be willing to book the fight under those circumstances, framing it as a friendly alignment between the two fighters rather than a hostile callout.
Prates enters this career trajectory as the fifth-ranked welterweight, carrying a record of 24-7. The 32-year-old Brazilian trains out of Vale Top Team and brings a high-output, dangerous striking game to the division, landing 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, he has the physical tools to operate effectively at range.
Makhachev, the current welterweight champion from Russia, represents the obstacle Garry would need to clear first. The 34-year-old holds a 28-1 record and is the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. He mixes elite grappling — averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — with precise striking at 58 percent accuracy, making him one of the most complete fighters in the game.
Why it matters
- Prates is currently ranked fifth at welterweight, meaning a win over Madalena could push him closer to a legitimate title shot of his own.
- The plan hinges entirely on Garry unseating Makhachev, one of the most dominant champions in the sport.
- A title fight in Brazil would carry significant commercial appeal given Prates's home country advantage and the UFC's history of major cards there.
Whether this friendly agreement between two fighters ever becomes reality depends on several outcomes breaking the right way, and both men face considerable hurdles before any such fight could materialize.
