Carlos Prates declared his intention to fight the winner of the upcoming welterweight title bout at UFC 330 on August 15th between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry. Prates stated he will be watching the fight from the front row in August and will face whoever emerges victorious. He commented on Jack Della Maddalena's boxing skills, saying he was wary of his hands but considers himself the superior striker who can strike with hands, feet, and knees. The post asks readers whether Prates deserves the next title shot or should first face a contender bout against Morales.
Carlos Prates has made his ambitions clear, publicly calling for a welterweight title shot against whoever wins the UFC 330 championship bout between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry on August 15th.
The Brazilian contender, known as "The Nightmare," holds a 24-7 record and sits at number five in the welterweight rankings. The 32-year-old out of Vale Top Team stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and operates as a switch-hitter, landing 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. Prates said he plans to watch the title fight from the front row before stepping up to face the victor.
Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion, carries a 28-1 record and enters UFC 330 as arguably the sport's most complete fighter. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw from Eagles MMA averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands strikes at 58 percent accuracy, the highest mark among the three fighters mentioned. His challenger, Ian Garry, is not reflected in the verified data provided, but the title picture also involves fourth-ranked Jack Della Maddalena, who Prates addressed directly in his callout.
Prates acknowledged Della Maddalena's boxing, saying he was wary of the Australian's hands, but positioned himself as the more complete striker, citing his ability to threaten with hands, feet, and knees. Della Maddalena, 29, carries an 18-4 record and a p4p ranking of 13th. He generates a striking volume of 5.57 significant strikes per minute, among the highest in the division, though his grappling output is minimal.
Why it matters
- Prates at number five is one spot below Della Maddalena, meaning a title shot without another win would be a significant leap
- A potential Prates vs. Morales contender bout has been floated as the more likely path to a title opportunity
- Prates' 78-inch reach and multi-discipline striking present a stylistic contrast to Makhachev's grappling-heavy approach
