Islam Makhachev responded to Carlos Prates' recent knockout victory with a playful comment on social media. Makhachev wrote 'Great job, Nutella cake' in reaction to Prates' performance, using a humorous nickname for the Brazilian fighter. The comment suggests Makhachev is aware of Prates' rising status in the division and the possibility of a future matchup between them. The post is brief with limited additional context provided.
Islam Makhachev took a moment to acknowledge Carlos Prates following the Brazilian's recent knockout win, posting a brief but telling message on social media. The welterweight champion wrote "Great job, Nutella cake" in response to Prates' performance, offering a playful nickname for the rising contender and signaling that he is keeping close tabs on the division.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and currently reigns as welterweight champion while also sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian southpaw trains out of Eagles MMA and is known for a complete, suffocating style — landing 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, while averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes. That blend of grappling dominance and sharp striking has made him the standard by which everyone in the division is measured.
Prates, 32, enters the conversation at number five in the welterweight rankings with a 24-7 record. The Brazilian switch-hitter from Vale Top Team stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach — advantages that feed his aggressive, output-heavy approach. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute, the kind of volume that has made him one of the more dangerous finishers in the weight class. His almost nonexistent takedown and submission numbers reflect a fighter who operates almost entirely on the feet.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's public acknowledgment of Prates, however lighthearted, puts the contender's name in the championship conversation.
- The stylistic contrast is stark: Makhachev's elite grappling meets one of the division's most active strikers.
- Prates' rise to the top five makes him a credible next challenger, and the champion's comment suggests awareness of that reality.
