MMA journalist Ariel Helwani shared his vision for the welterweight division's future. He predicts Islam Makhachev will face Ian Garry in August. Following that, he anticipates Carlos Prates will fight Joaquin Buckley for the number one contender spot in the fall. The post asked fans whether they agree with this prediction. No official announcements have been made regarding these potential matchups.
Prominent MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has shared his vision for the welterweight division's near future, predicting a pair of high-stakes matchups that have not been officially confirmed by the UFC.
Helwani anticipates that welterweight champion Islam Makhachev will face Ian Garry in August, with Carlos Prates and Joaquin Buckley meeting in a number one contender bout in the fall. No official announcements have been made, and these remain unconfirmed reports at this stage.
Makhachev, 34, carries a 28-1 record and currently holds the welterweight title while also ranking among the elite pound-for-pound fighters on the roster. The Russian southpaw from Eagles MMA is one of the sport's most complete threats, landing 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes while posting a striking accuracy of 58 percent — a combination that makes him dangerous in virtually every phase.
Carlos Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," enters the picture ranked fifth in the welterweight division. The 32-year-old Brazilian out of Vale Top Team carries a 24-7 record and one of the most active striking outputs at 170 pounds, averaging 3.77 significant strikes per minute with a six-foot-one frame and a 78-inch reach that gives him a considerable physical edge over most opponents.
Standing across from him in Helwani's projected matchup is Joaquin Buckley, "New Mansa," ranked 11th in the division. The 32-year-old American from Murcielago MMA is 21-8 and produces an even higher striking volume at 3.88 significant strikes per minute. His 76-inch reach and southpaw stance set up a fascinating dynamic against the switch-hitting Prates.
Why it matters
- A Makhachev title defense against Garry would be one of the welterweight division's biggest events of the year
- A Prates-Buckley clash between the fifth- and 11th-ranked contenders would carry genuine number one contender implications
- Both projected fights feature high-volume strikers, promising entertaining stand-up exchanges if the matchups are confirmed
