Carlos Prates now has the ability to call out Islam Makhachev by highlighting that he finished Jack Della Maddalena, something Makhachev did not accomplish. The post suggests Prates can use this talking point to generate media attention and position himself as a challenger. Makhachev is noted as having multiple potential opponents who can create promotional narratives. Ian Garry and Michael Moralles are mentioned as others in this category. The observation indicates the competitive landscape in the welterweight and lightweight divisions is creating several compelling potential matchups with strong storylines.
Carlos Prates now holds a talking point that could fuel a legitimate title challenge campaign after finishing Jack Della Maddalena, a feat Islam Makhachev — currently holding the welterweight belt — was unable to accomplish against the same opponent.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," carries a 24-7 record and sits fifth in the welterweight division at 32 years old. The Brazilian southpaw out of Vale Top Team stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, giving him a significant physical presence in the 170-pound class. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, and his finishing ability is central to the narrative he can now construct around a title shot.
Della Maddalena, the fourth-ranked welterweight at just 29 years old, entered that fight as one of the division's most dangerous strikers. The Australian out of Scrappy MMA posts a remarkable 5.57 significant strikes per minute — among the highest volume in the division — and carries a 18-4 record along with a top-15 pound-for-pound ranking. The fact that Prates put him away gives the finish considerable weight as a promotional argument.
Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion from Russia, owns a 28-1 record and a pound-for-pound ranking of first. The Eagles MMA product is a multi-dimensional threat, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 2.63 significant strikes landed per minute at a sharp 58 percent accuracy. He went the distance against Della Maddalena, which is now the contrast Prates and his camp can exploit.
Why it matters
- Prates can draw a direct comparison between his finish of Della Maddalena and Makhachev's inability to stop him, strengthening a title-shot argument
- Ian Garry and Michael Moralles are also noted as fighters capable of building strong promotional narratives toward Makhachev
- The welterweight division is generating several storylines simultaneously, giving the champion options while increasing competition among contenders for positioning
