Following his knockout of Jack Della Maddalena, Carlos Prates now has a talking point against Islam Makhachev, being able to claim he finished Della Maddalena while Makhachev went to decision. The post suggests Prates can leverage this accomplishment in potential callouts of the lightweight champion. This development adds Prates to a growing list of media-friendly potential opponents for Makhachev alongside Ian Garry and Renato Moicano. The comparison between finishing methods could fuel promotional narratives if these fighters eventually meet. Details are limited, but the post highlights how Prates' finish creates new storyline opportunities.
Carlos Prates earned more than a victory when he knocked out Jack Della Maddalena — he picked up a talking point that could shape the welterweight division's near future.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," stopped Della Maddalena inside the distance, a result that immediately drew comparisons to Islam Makhachev's earlier bout with the Australian, which went to a judges' decision. The Brazilian now holds a finishing result over a fighter the pound-for-pound king could not put away, giving him a ready-made promotional narrative should the two ever meet.
Prates carries a 24-7 record and sits fifth in the welterweight rankings at 32 years old. The six-foot-one switch-stance striker from Vale Top Team brings a 78-inch reach into every fight and lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, making him a consistent offensive threat.
Della Maddalena, now 18-4, had entered the contest as the fourth-ranked welterweight and the 13th-ranked fighter pound for pound. The 29-year-old Australian out of Scrappy MMA is one of the division's most active strikers, averaging 5.57 significant strikes per minute, but the switch-stance fighter carries little grappling volume, averaging just 0.13 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Makhachev, 34, holds the welterweight championship with a 28-1 record and anchors the pound-for-pound rankings at number one. The Russian southpaw from Eagles MMA blends elite grappling — 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — with 58 percent striking accuracy, and his decision win over Della Maddalena demonstrated his ability to control opponents without requiring a finish.
Why it matters
- Prates' knockout gives him a concrete edge over Makhachev in the pre-fight narrative battle if a title fight is ever pursued
- At fifth in the rankings, Prates is now positioned alongside Ian Garry and Renato Moicano as media-friendly contenders linked to Makhachev
- The finishing contrast between the two men's results against Della Maddalena adds a clear stylistic storyline to any future matchup discussion
