Islam Makhachev responded to Carlos Prates' recent knockout victory by posting a comment calling him 'Nutella cake' with a laughing emoji. The lighthearted social media interaction came after Prates' impressive performance, which has positioned him as a potential future opponent for the lightweight champion. Makhachev's comment appears to be playful banter referencing Prates. The interaction adds to the growing narrative around potential future matchups between the two fighters. This type of social media engagement often precedes future fight announcements in the UFC.
Islam Makhachev took to social media to respond to Carlos Prates' recent knockout victory, posting a comment describing the Brazilian contender as "Nutella cake" accompanied by a laughing emoji — a moment of playful banter from the reigning welterweight champion that has quickly drawn attention across MMA circles.
Makhachev, now 28-1, holds the welterweight title and sits at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings at just 34 years old. The Russian, who trains out of Eagles MMA, is a technically precise fighter with a 58 percent striking accuracy and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — numbers that reflect the well-rounded, suffocating style that has made him one of the most dominant champions in the sport.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," enters the conversation off a striking performance that has elevated his profile considerably. The 32-year-old Brazilian is currently ranked fifth in the welterweight division with a record of 24-7, representing Vale Top Team. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, Prates is a switch-stance striker who averages 3.77 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the more dangerous offensive fighters in the division.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's public acknowledgment of Prates signals awareness of the contender's rising stock at welterweight
- Prates' ranking at number five puts him within realistic striking distance of a title shot with another strong performance
- The stylistic contrast is notable — a high-volume striker in Prates against Makhachev's wrestling-heavy, accuracy-driven approach
- Social media exchanges of this nature have frequently served as early indicators of matchups gaining traction inside the UFC
