Islam Makhachev responded to Carlos Prates' recent victory with a social media post calling him 'Nutella cake' in a playful manner. The comment appears to be a lighthearted jab at Prates following his impressive performance. Makhachev's reaction indicates he is aware of Prates as a potential future opponent. The post has generated discussion among fans about a possible matchup between the two fighters. No official challenge or fight announcement has been made at this time.
Islam Makhachev took to social media following Carlos Prates' recent victory to call the Brazilian contender a "Nutella cake" in what appeared to be a playful dig at the welterweight ranked fighter.
Makhachev, 34, currently holds the welterweight championship and carries a 28-1 record heading into the encounter. The Russian fighter, who trains out of Eagles MMA, holds the number-one pound-for-pound ranking and brings a well-rounded game to the division — averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing strikes at a remarkable 58 percent accuracy rate. Standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, the southpaw has built his championship reign on a suffocating blend of grappling pressure and calculated striking.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," enters the picture ranked fifth in the welterweight division with a 24-7 record. The 32-year-old Brazilian, who fights out of Vale Top Team, presents a contrasting profile to the champion. At six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, Prates operates as a switch-stance striker who generates serious volume, averaging 3.77 significant strikes per minute. His length and offensive output have made him a credible threat in the division's upper tier.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's public acknowledgment of Prates, even in jest, signals the champion is tracking potential challengers at 170 pounds.
- A matchup would pit Makhachev's elite grappling and takedown volume directly against Prates' reach advantage and striking output.
- Prates' fifth-place divisional ranking makes him a realistic future title challenger if he continues to build on recent results.
No official fight announcement or formal challenge has been issued between the two camps at this stage, and the interaction remains a social media exchange for now.
