Islam Makhachev responded to Carlos Prates' recent victory with a humorous comment on social media. Makhachev wrote "Great work, Nutella cake" accompanied by a laughing emoji, appearing to mock or playfully tease the Brazilian welterweight. The post notes that the content is duplicated on other platforms (MAX and VK) for those who cannot load it. The brief reaction suggests Makhachev is acknowledging Prates' performance while maintaining a lighthearted, dismissive tone. This social media exchange adds to the ongoing narrative between potential future opponents. The "Nutella cake" nickname appears to be Makhachev's own creation for Prates.
Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev took to social media on May 2 to acknowledge Carlos Prates' recent victory, doing so with a pointed joke rather than any formal callout. Makhachev posted "Great work, Nutella cake" alongside a laughing emoji, coining an apparent nickname for the Brazilian contender while keeping the tone deliberately playful and dismissive.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1-0 record and currently sits atop both the welterweight division and the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian fighter, who trains out of Eagles MMA, is a 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, underlining the all-around threat he poses to any opponent.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," enters the exchange ranked fifth in the welterweight division with a 24-7-0 record. The 32-year-old Brazilian out of Vale Top Team stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and is primarily a striking threat, averaging 3.77 significant strikes per minute. His switch stance and long frame make him one of the more dangerous stand-up fighters in the division, though his takedown output is minimal at 0.21 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Makhachev publicly engaging with a top-five welterweight signals Prates is firmly on the champion's radar.
- The significant size and reach disparity — Prates holds an eight-inch reach advantage — would make for a compelling stylistic matchup.
- A grappling-dominant champion versus one of the division's most active strikers raises clear divisional stakes at 170 pounds.
