Following Carlos Prates's early finish of Jack Della Maddalena, he now has grounds to call out Islam Makhachev by pointing out that he was able to finish Maddalena early while Makhachev went to decision with him. This gives Makhachev several potential media-driven opponents who can create storylines and controversy. The post suggests that Ian Garry and others would not be first in line among these potential vocal challengers. The comment highlights how finishing opponents that champions have faced creates natural callout opportunities in MMA.
Carlos Prates has wasted little time positioning himself as a legitimate title contender at welterweight, using his early finish of Jack Della Maddalena to draw a pointed comparison with what UFC champion Islam Makhachev was able to accomplish against the same opponent.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," carries a 24-7 record and currently sits ranked fifth in the welterweight division. The 32-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Vale Top Team, is a physically imposing presence at six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach — a significant frame for the division. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy and relies almost entirely on his striking, recording virtually no submission attempts and a negligible takedown rate.
The callout logic targets Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion from Russia who went the distance with Della Maddalena in their meeting. Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and carries one of the sport's most well-rounded profiles, landing strikes at 58 percent accuracy while averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes. He holds the pound-for-pound top ranking alongside his welterweight title.
Della Maddalena, the fourth-ranked welterweight and 13th on the pound-for-pound list, entered that contest with a 18-4 record. The 29-year-old Australian brings elite striking volume at 5.57 significant strikes per minute, making Prates's finish of him a credential worth noting.
Why it matters
- Prates finishing a top-five opponent Makhachev could only defeat by decision creates a natural media narrative
- The matchup gives the champion a storyline-rich challenger as welterweight title contention develops
- Ian Garry and other vocal contenders may find themselves behind Prates in the callout queue given this result
