Islam Makhachev posted a brief reaction to Carlos Prates' recent knockout victory, writing "Great work, Nutella cake" with a laughing emoji. The comment appears to be a playful jab at Prates, using the Nutella cake nickname in a teasing manner. This interaction comes as Prates has emerged as a potential future opponent for the lightweight champion. The post was shared across multiple platforms for fans who may have difficulty loading the original content. No further details about the specific nature of the joke or context were provided.
Islam Makhachev took a moment to weigh in on Carlos Prates' recent knockout win, posting a brief but pointed message on social media that read "Great work, Nutella cake" accompanied by a laughing emoji. The welterweight champion's comment drew immediate attention from fans, with the post circulated widely across multiple platforms.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and currently sits atop the welterweight division as champion, also ranking among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. The Russian fighter, who trains out of Eagles MMA, is a southpaw known for his wrestling-heavy approach, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate — among the highest in the division.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," enters the picture ranked fifth at welterweight with a 24-7 record. The 32-year-old Brazilian out of Vale Top Vale Top Team fights out of a switch stance and has built his reputation as a dangerous striker, averaging 3.77 significant strikes per minute. At six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, he carries notable size for the division.
Why it matters
- Prates' recent knockout result has pushed him closer to title contention at welterweight
- Makhachev's public comment, however playful, signals awareness of Prates as a credible challenger
- The stylistic contrast is stark — Makhachev's elite grappling against Prates' high-volume striking and length advantage
- A potential matchup would carry genuine divisional stakes given Prates' current ranking
The exchange, while lighthearted in tone, underscores how seriously the champion's camp is tracking Prates as a name in the welterweight title picture.
