Carlos Prates declared he will fight the winner of the welterweight title bout scheduled for UFC 330 on August 15th between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry. In his statement, Prates said he'll be in the front row watching their fight and will face whoever wins. He praised Jack Della Maddalena's boxing and admitted being wary of his hands, but believes he himself is the better striker with more versatility using punches, kicks, and knees. The post asks fans whether Prates deserves the next title shot or needs a contender fight against Morales first.
Carlos Prates has publicly called his shot at the welterweight title, declaring he intends to fight the winner of the Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry championship bout scheduled for UFC 330 on August 15th.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," holds a 24-7 record and is currently ranked fifth in the welterweight division. The 32-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Vale Top Team, brings rare physical tools to the division — standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy and operates out of a switch stance, mixing punches, kicks, and knees. In his statement, Prates acknowledged a respect for the threat posed by a fellow contender's boxing while asserting he is the more versatile and complete striker.
Islam Makhachev enters UFC 330 as the reigning welterweight champion with a 28-1 record. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw is ranked pound-for-pound at the top of the sport and brings elite grappling to complement his striking, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.1 submission attempts in the same span.
His opponent, Jack Della Maddalena, is ranked fourth in the division at 29 years old with an 18-4 record. The Australian switch-hitter is one of the division's most dangerous strikers, posting a remarkable 5.57 significant strikes per minute, and carries a 73-inch reach that gives him a physical advantage in the pocket.
Why it matters
- Prates at No. 5 is one position below Della Maddalena at No. 4, keeping his place in the title picture but not without question
- A win over Makhachev or Garry for either man would immediately validate or complicate Prates's claim as the next mandatory challenger
- Prates's reach advantage and striking versatility represent a stylistic contrast to both men in the UFC 330 main event
- Whether the UFC views Prates as title-ready or steers him toward a ranked contender bout first remains an open question
