Islam Makhachev responded to Carlos Prates' recent victory with a humorous comment, calling him "Nutella cake." The response was shared on social media and appears to be a lighthearted jab at Prates. The post includes a note directing followers to duplicate content on other platforms for those who can't load the original. This represents social media banter between the lightweight champion and the rising welterweight contender.
Islam Makhachev took to social media to react to Carlos Prates' recent win, poking fun at the Brazilian contender by calling him "Nutella cake" in what appears to be a lighthearted piece of online banter between the reigning champion and a rising welterweight threat.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and is currently the welterweight champion, ranked at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian fighter, who trains out of Eagles MMA, is a technically precise southpaw standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach. He lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy, and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — a testament to the grappling-heavy style that has defined his reign.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," enters the conversation on the back of a victory that caught Makhachev's attention. The 32-year-old Brazilian, ranked fifth in the welterweight division, trains out of Vale Top Team and presents a contrasting profile to the champion. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, the switch-stance striker lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute and has built his reputation almost entirely on his feet, averaging just 0.21 takedowns per 15 minutes and registering no submission attempts.
Why it matters
- Makhachev acknowledging Prates publicly signals the Brazilian is firmly on the champion's radar at 170 pounds.
- The stylistic contrast is stark — a high-volume striker against one of the division's most complete grapplers.
- A ranked matchup between the two would carry significant divisional implications at welterweight.
