Following Carlos Prates' early stoppage victory over Jack Della Maddalena, he is now positioned to call out Islam Makhachev, contrasting with Makhachev's decision victory over the same opponent. The post suggests Prates can use this finish to generate media attention and justify a title shot. Islam Makhachev now has multiple potential opponents creating buzz, including Ian Garry and Belal Muhammad, with the post noting that Garry and Muhammad may not be first in line for media-driven matchups.
Carlos Prates has thrust himself into the welterweight title conversation after stopping Jack Della Maddalena early, a result that carries extra weight given that champion Islam Makhachev went the distance 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 striker out of Vale Top Team stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. His early finish of Della Maddalena gives him a concrete argument for a title shot, particularly because Makhachev needed a decision to beat the same man.
Makhachev, the welterweight champion, holds a 28-1 record and is ranked at the top of the pound-for-pound standings at 34 years old. The Russian out of Eagles MMA is a complete mixed martial artist, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, with a striking accuracy of 58 percent. His decision win over Della Maddalena, while dominant, now invites comparisons given Prates' more emphatic stoppage of the same opponent.
Della Maddalena, ranked fourth in the welterweight division and 13th pound-for-pound, falls to 18-4 after the loss. The 29-year-old Australian is one of the division's most active strikers, averaging 5.57 significant strikes per minute, but the back-to-back defeats highlight a vulnerability in his game.
Why it matters
- Prates' finish of Della Maddalena gives him a stronger stylistic and narrative case for a title shot than Makhachev's decision over the same opponent.
- The welterweight title picture is becoming crowded, with Ian Garry and Belal Muhammad also generating attention as potential challengers.
- Prates' 78-inch reach and switch-stance striking present a distinct stylistic challenge compared to the grapplers Makhachev typically faces.
