Islam Makhachev responded to Carlos Prates's recent victory with a humorous social media post. Makhachev wrote "Great work, Nutella cake" followed by a laughing emoji, apparently making a playful reference to Prates. The post was shared across multiple platforms for those having loading issues. The tone suggests a lighthearted jab rather than serious trash talk. No additional context about their potential future matchup was provided in the brief message.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev took to social media to acknowledge Carlos Prates following the Brazilian's recent victory, doing so in characteristically dry fashion. Makhachev posted "Great work, Nutella cake" alongside a laughing emoji, a playful jab at the fifth-ranked contender that quickly circulated across multiple platforms.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 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 with a well-rounded game to match his champion status — landing 2.63 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy while averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes. His submission threat is equally present, with 1.1 attempts per 15 minutes rounding out a profile that has made him one of the sport's most complete fighters.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," enters the picture at number five in the welterweight rankings with a 24-7 record. The 32-year-old Brazilian, representing Vale Top Team, is a switch-stance striker with a notably aggressive output of 3.77 significant strikes per minute. At six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, he carries a significant physical size advantage over the champion and has shown almost no reliance on the grappling game, averaging just 0.21 takedowns per 15 minutes and registering zero submission attempts in that same window.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's post keeps Prates in the public conversation around the welterweight title picture
- A striker-versus-grappler contrast makes the stylistic matchup compelling on paper
- Prates's size — three inches taller with an eight-inch reach advantage — would present the champion with an unusual physical challenge at 170 pounds
