Carlos Prates revealed that he and Ian Garry have discussed a plan that would lead to them fighting each other for a title. According to Prates, Garry called him about three weeks ago to outline the scenario: Prates would defeat Michael Morales, Garry would beat Islam Makhachev, and then they would meet in Brazil for a title fight. Prates believes the UFC would be willing to make this fight happen, particularly if Garry wins the championship, setting up a rematch between the two. The ambitious plan requires both fighters to win their upcoming bouts first.
Carlos Prates has revealed an ambitious two-fight roadmap that he and Ian Garry have discussed, one that would culminate in a welterweight title rematch on Brazilian soil.
Prates says Garry contacted him roughly three weeks ago to lay out the scenario: Prates would first defeat Michael Morales, Garry would then dethrone Islam Makhachev for the welterweight championship, and the two would meet afterward in Brazil to settle their rivalry with a title on the line. Prates added that he believes the UFC would be open to making that fight, especially if Garry captures the belt.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," enters the equation ranked fifth in the welterweight division with a 24-7 record. The 32-year-old Brazilian southpaw-turned-switch hitter trains out of Vale Top Team and brings serious striking volume to the table, averaging 3.77 significant strikes landed per minute at 55 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, he has the length to trouble most opponents in the division.
Standing between Prates and that plan is Morales, the undefeated Ecuadorian ranked second at welterweight. The 27-year-old carries a perfect 19-0 record and leads the division in striking output, landing 5.62 significant strikes per minute for Entram Gym. At six feet tall with a 79-inch reach, Morales represents one of the stiffest tests available in the weight class.
The other half of the equation involves Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion from Russia who holds a 28-1 record. The 34-year-old Eagles MMA product combines elite wrestling — 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — with sharp striking at 58 percent accuracy, making him one of the most complete fighters in the sport.
Why it matters
- A Prates win over the second-ranked Morales would almost certainly push him into title contention regardless of other results.
- If Garry defeats a champion of Makhachev's caliber, a rematch with Prates in Brazil becomes a commercially compelling option for the UFC.
- The matchup pits Prates's high-volume switch-hitting against the contrasting styles each man would bring out of their respective bouts.
