Islam Makhachev commented on Carlos Prates' performance at UFC Perth, saying "Great work, Nutella cake." The post includes a reference to an earlier message explaining the inside joke between Makhachev and Prates. This social media interaction shows the UFC lightweight champion acknowledging Prates' impressive victory. The comment appears to be a friendly, playful remark referencing a previous exchange between the two fighters.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev took a moment after UFC Perth to send a playful message to Carlos Prates, posting "Great work, Nutella cake" on social media in response to the Brazilian's latest victory. The comment referenced an apparent inside joke between the two fighters stemming from an earlier exchange, adding a lighthearted moment to the post-event conversation.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and currently reigns as champion, with the verified data listing him in the welterweight division. The Russian fighter, who trains out of Eagles MMA, is a southpaw with a well-rounded game, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 58 percent. He lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute and has demonstrated consistent submission threat throughout his career.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," enters the spotlight following his Perth performance with a 24-7 record and a divisional ranking of fifth. The 32-year-old Brazilian out of Vale Top Team is a switch-stance striker who stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach. He is one of the more active volume strikers in the division, landing 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, and relies almost exclusively on his striking rather than grappling to finish fights.
Why it matters
- The social media exchange signals mutual respect between the reigning champion and one of the division's rising contenders.
- Prates sits fifth in the divisional rankings, keeping him well within the conversation for a future title shot.
- The stylistic contrast between Makhachev's grappling-heavy approach and Prates' high-output striking would make any future matchup between the two a compelling one.
