Ariel Helwani shared his vision for the future of the welterweight division, predicting Islam Makhachev will face Ian Garry in August. Helwani also envisions Carlos Prates fighting Joaquin Buckley (Morales) for number one contender status in the fall. The post presents this as Helwani's personal prediction of how matchmaking will unfold in the division. The scenario outlined would establish a clear title picture with a champion defense followed by a contender elimination bout. No official confirmation of these matchups is indicated in the post.
Prominent MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has laid out his personal vision for the welterweight division's near future, predicting that champion Islam Makhachev will defend his title against Ian Garry in August, with Carlos Prates and Joaquin Buckley meeting in a number-one contender bout in the fall. No official confirmation of either matchup has emerged.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and stands as the reigning welterweight champion, representing Russia and training out of Eagles MMA. The southpaw is a technically complete fighter, landing 2.63 significant strikes per minute at an exceptional 58 percent accuracy while also threatening consistently on the ground with 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. He is also ranked at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," enters the picture ranked fifth in the welterweight division. The 32-year-old Brazilian trains out of Vale Top Team and brings a switch-stance striking game built around volume and length. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, he lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the more active offensive fighters in the division.
Why it matters
- A Makhachev title defense in August would be one of the most high-profile welterweight bouts in recent memory
- A Prates versus Buckley bout would serve as a clear contender eliminator, sharpening the title picture heading into late 2026
- Prates's reach and striking volume against a wrestler of Makhachev's caliber would present a compelling stylistic clash if the contender scenario plays out
