An analyst suggests that Carlos Prates now has strong leverage to call out Islam Makhachev, as he was able to finish Jack Della Maddalena early, something Makhachev did not do. This gives Prates a talking point in media exchanges with the lightweight champion. The observation notes that Makhachev now has multiple potential media-driven opponents creating storylines. Ian Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov are also mentioned as fighters who could generate similar promotional angles. The comment highlights how finishing Della Maddalena enhances Prates' position in potential matchmaking discussions.
Carlos Prates has emerged with a compelling promotional argument after finishing Jack Della Maddalena, a feat that Islam Makhachev — the reigning welterweight champion — did not accomplish in his own meeting with the Australian, according to an analyst's observation circulating ahead of potential matchmaking discussions.
Prates' stoppage of Della Maddalena gives the Brazilian a concrete talking point when positioning himself for a title shot. Della Maddalena, ranked fourth in the welterweight division and thirteenth in the pound-for-pound standings, carries a 18-4-0 record and is widely regarded as one of the division's most dangerous strikers, averaging an eye-catching 5.57 significant strikes landed per minute. Landing a finish against a fighter of that caliber is a meaningful credential in any matchmaking conversation.
Makhachev, 34, holds the welterweight title with a 28-1-0 record and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian grappler is a dominant champion who averages 3.2 takedowns per fifteen minutes and completes his strikes at 58 percent accuracy, but the inability to stop Della Maddalena in their encounter is now a storyline Prates can exploit in media exchanges.
The analyst also notes that Prates is not alone in building promotional momentum around the champion. Shavkat Rakhmonov, the 31-year-old Kazakh known as Nomad, holds an unbeaten 19-0-0 record and sits third in the welterweight rankings. His striking accuracy of 60 percent and a blend of 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per fifteen minutes make him a stylistically compelling opponent. Ian Garry is also identified as another fighter capable of generating similar media-driven angles around a potential title challenge.
Why it matters
- Prates can point to a finishing result against Della Maddalena that the champion could not match, strengthening his callout leverage
- The welterweight title picture grows more crowded with Rakhmonov, Garry, and now Prates all building narrative cases
- Multiple fighters competing for media attention could influence which challenger gets prioritized in matchmaking
