Islam Makhachev responded to Carlos Prates's recent victory with a brief comment on social media. Makhachev wrote "Great work, Nutella cake" with a laughing emoji, appearing to use a nickname for Prates. The post was shared for followers who may have trouble loading the original content. The lighthearted nature of the comment suggests Makhachev is acknowledging Prates's performance while maintaining his characteristically playful social media presence.
Islam Makhachev took to social media to acknowledge Carlos Prates following Prates's recent victory, posting a brief but pointed message that read "Great work, Nutella cake," accompanied by a laughing emoji. The welterweight champion's comment, which appeared to reference a playful nickname for the Brazilian contender, quickly circulated among fans after being shared more widely for those unable to load the original post.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and currently sits atop both the welterweight division and the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian fighter, who trains out of Eagles MMA, brings a southpaw stance and a well-rounded game to the table, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 58 percent. His social media activity here is consistent with the understated but occasionally sharp online presence he has maintained throughout his career.
Prates, 32, carries a 24-7 record and is ranked fifth in the welterweight division. Known officially by the nickname "The Nightmare," the Brazilian out of Vale Top Team is a switch-stance striker who generates serious offensive output, landing 3.77 significant strikes per minute. At six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, he owns a significant size advantage over most welterweights and has registered zero submission attempts per 15 minutes, underlining his commitment to a striking-based approach.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's acknowledgment, however casual, places Prates on the champion's radar at 170 pounds.
- Prates sits fifth in the division, meaning a continued win streak puts him in realistic title contention.
- The stylistic contrast between Makhachev's grappling-heavy game and Prates's high-volume striking would make any future matchup a compelling tactical puzzle.
