Carlos Prates has stated he expects Ian Garry to win his upcoming fight, but claims he would be prepared to face Islam Makhachev if called upon. Addressing potential criticism about being taken down by Jack Della Maddalena in the first round, Prates emphasized that he is not afraid of takedowns because he holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The post suggests that regardless of his confidence, facing Garry for the title would likely be an easier path than facing Makhachev. Prates is positioning himself as a willing challenger at the top of the welterweight division.
Carlos Prates has gone on record saying he expects Ian Garry to win his next fight, while also making clear he would be ready to step in against welterweight champion Islam Makhachev if the opportunity arose.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," enters this conversation as the fifth-ranked welterweight in the UFC. The 32-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Vale Top Team, carries a record of 24-7 and has built a reputation as a high-output striker, landing 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, he presents a difficult physical puzzle for opponents. One potential concern heading into any high-level matchup is his grappling vulnerability — he was taken down by Jack Della Maddalena in the first round of their contest. Prates addressed that directly, pointing to his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu as evidence that hitting the canvas does not trouble him.
Della Maddalena, ranked fourth at welterweight and 13th pound-for-pound, is one of the division's most dangerous strikers, posting a remarkable 5.57 significant strikes per minute. The 29-year-old Australian out of Scrappy MMA holds an 18-4 record and fights out of a switch stance, though grappling is rarely a feature of his game, with just 0.13 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion, represents an altogether different challenge. The 34-year-old Russian owns a 28-1 record and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, a stat that would put Prates's ground credentials to a far sterner test than anything Della Maddalena offered.
Why it matters
- Prates at No. 5 is positioning himself for a title shot regardless of who holds the belt
- His willingness to call out Makhachev raises his profile at the top of a crowded welterweight division
- The grappling question surrounding Prates becomes the central talking point if a fight with the wrestling-heavy champion materializes
