Following his victory over Jack Della Maddalena, Carlos Prates is now in a position to publicly challenge Islam Makhachev and claim he was able to finish Della Maddalena while Makhachev went the distance. The post suggests that Makhachev now has multiple potential opponents who could generate media attention, with Ian Garry and Michael Morales being mentioned alongside Prates. The author implies that Garry and Morales would not be the first choices for media-driven matchups with Makhachev.
Carlos Prates now has a pointed talking point to aim directly at welterweight champion Islam Makhachev after stopping Jack Della Maddalena, a result that opens the door for the Brazilian to publicly argue he accomplished what Makhachev could not.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," carries a 24-7 record and sits fifth in the welterweight division at 32 years old. The six-foot-one Brazilian out of Vale Top Team lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy and owns a 78-inch reach that gives him a considerable physical edge over most opponents in the division. His finish of Della Maddalena now serves as the centerpiece of a potential callout, given that Makhachev previously went the full distance against the Australian.
Della Maddalena, ranked fourth at welterweight and 13th pound-for-pound, came in as one of the division's more dangerous strikers. The 29-year-old Australian from Scrappy MMA posts a remarkable 5.57 significant strikes per minute, and at five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach, he represented a credible and high-profile scalp. That Prates finished him adds legitimate weight to any challenge he directs at the champion.
Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion, holds a 28-1 record and ranks first pound-for-pound. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw from Eagles MMA is one of the sport's most complete fighters, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside solid striking at 58 percent accuracy. With a title defense on the horizon, he reportedly has several media-friendly opponents to consider.
Why it matters
- Prates can now argue he finished the man Makhachev could not stop, strengthening his case for a title shot
- Ian Garry and Michael Morales are also in the conversation, giving Makhachev's team multiple options for a high-profile matchup
- A Prates challenge carries a stylistic hook — his 78-inch reach and finishing ability against Makhachev's elite grappling presents a compelling contrast
