Islam Makhachev responded to Carlos Prates's recent knockout victory with a brief, humorous comment calling him "Nutella Cake." The nickname appears to be a playful jab at the Brazilian fighter following his impressive performance. Makhachev's reaction comes amid growing speculation about potential future matchups between top welterweights and the lightweight champion. The post also mentions that the content is being duplicated across multiple platforms for those who cannot access the original. Details are limited, but the exchange adds to the ongoing narrative between elite UFC fighters.
Islam Makhachev took to social media to offer a brief but eyebrow-raising response to Carlos Prates's latest knockout win, dubbing the Brazilian striker "Nutella Cake" in what appeared to be a playful jab at the welterweight contender's recent performance.
Makhachev, now 28-1, currently holds championship gold and sits at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. The 34-year-old Russian, who trains out of Eagles MMA, is a technically polished southpaw standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach. He lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 58 percent accuracy, while also averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — a reminder that his game extends well beyond any single dimension.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," is ranked fifth in the welterweight division and carries a 24-7 record heading into the spotlight that his most recent finish has generated. The 32-year-old Brazilian, representing Vale Top Team, offers a physically imposing frame at six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach. Fighting out of a switch stance, he generates 3.77 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the more active volume strikers in the 170-pound bracket.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's comment, however lighthearted, signals awareness of Prates as a name worth acknowledging at the elite level
- Prates's ranked position at number five in welterweight puts him within range of title contention conversations
- The contrast in styles — Makhachev's grappling-heavy, high-accuracy approach versus Prates's high-volume striking — would represent a compelling stylistic clash if a matchup were ever formalized
