Carlos Prates and Ian Garry have discussed a plan where they would meet in a title fight. According to Prates, Garry called him about three weeks ago to propose the scenario. The plan involves Prates defeating Maddalena while Garry beats Makhachev, after which they would fight in Brazil. Prates believes the UFC would make the fight happen, and if Garry wins the belt, it would set up a rematch between them. The post expresses skepticism about the plan's realization despite acknowledging it sounds appealing.
Carlos Prates has revealed that Ian Garry reached out to him roughly three weeks ago with an ambitious plan: both men win their upcoming fights, then meet in a title bout on Brazilian soil.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," is ranked fifth in the welterweight division and carries a 24-7 record heading into his next assignment against Alessio Maddalena. The 32-year-old Brazilian trains out of Vale Top Team and has built a reputation as a high-volume striker, landing 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. At six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, he presents a difficult physical puzzle for anyone at 170 pounds.
Garry's side of the equation is considerably more demanding. The Irishman's proposed path runs directly through Islam Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion from Russia. Makhachev holds a 28-1 record and is ranked at the top of the pound-for-pound list. The 34-year-old southpaw is a suffocating wrestler who averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and adds 1.1 submission attempts in the same window, all while landing strikes at an elite 58 percent accuracy rate.
According to Prates, the scenario would work in one of two directions. If both men win as planned, they fight in Brazil with a title on the line. If Garry somehow captures the belt, it would set up a rematch between the two.
Prates expressed confidence that the UFC would sanction the matchup if the results fall into place.
Why it matters
- A Prates win over Maddalena would likely push him deeper into title contention from his current fifth-ranked position
- Garry defeating Makhachev would represent one of the biggest upsets in recent welterweight history
- The stylistic contrast between Prates's striking output and Makhachev's grappling-heavy game would make any related matchup compelling at divisional level
