Carlos Prates and Ian Garry have discussed a plan for a potential title fight between them in Brazil. According to Prates, Garry called him about three weeks ago to outline the scenario: Prates would defeat Vicente Luque (referred to as Maddalena), Garry would beat Islam Makhachev, and then they would fight for the title in Brazil. Prates believes the UFC would make the fight happen and that it would be a rematch if Garry becomes champion. The ambitious plan requires both fighters to win their upcoming bouts and Garry to capture the championship.
Carlos Prates has revealed that Ian Garry reached out to him roughly three weeks ago to sketch out an ambitious road map that ends with the two of them fighting for a world title in Brazil.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," says Garry laid out the scenario in detail: Prates wins his upcoming bout against Vicente Luque, Garry defeats welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, and the two then meet for the belt on Brazilian soil. Prates added that he believes the UFC would be willing to make that fight, and that it would serve as a rematch between the pair.
The 32-year-old Brazilian sits ranked fifth in the welterweight division with a professional record of 24-7. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, Prates brings serious offensive firepower, averaging 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He trains out of Vale Top Team and competes out of a switch stance.
Standing in the way of that plan on Garry's end is Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion. The 34-year-old Russian carries a record of 28-1, trains with Eagles MMA, and ranks among the pound-for-pound elite. Makhachev is a complete fighter, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.1 submission attempts, with a striking accuracy of 58 percent — numbers that underline why defeating him represents a massive ask for any challenger.
Why it matters
- A Prates win over Luque would push him deeper into title contention at 170 pounds
- Garry defeating Makhachev would be one of the biggest upsets in recent welterweight history
- A Prates-Garry title fight in Brazil would carry enormous commercial appeal given Prates's home country following
- The plan, while entirely conditional, signals both fighters are already thinking beyond their next opponents
