Carlos Prates is now positioned to call out Islam Makhachev with the argument that he was able to finish Jack Della Maddalena while Makhachev went the distance. This gives Prates a strong talking point in building hype for a potential title fight. The post notes that Makhachev now has multiple potential opponents who can create media buzz and rivalries. Ian Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov are mentioned as other contenders who could engage in promotional warfare with the champion. The analysis suggests these fighters won't be Makhachev's first choices for media opponents given the narratives they can build. The situation creates multiple compelling storylines for the lightweight division's future.
Carlos Prates now holds a compelling piece of promotional ammunition after finishing Jack Della Maddalena, a feat Islam Makhachev could not manage when the two met — giving the Brazilian striker a ready-made talking point should he pursue a welterweight title shot.
Makhachev, the welterweight champion carrying a 28-1-0 record, is one of the sport's premier pound-for-pound fighters and ranks first in that category according to AgentMMA data. The 34-year-old Russian out of Eagles MMA is a relentless grappler, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate. His only career loss came long before his current dominant run at the top of the division.
Della Maddalena, ranked fourth at welterweight and 13th pound-for-pound, entered that contest as one of the division's most dangerous strikers. The 29-year-old Australian posts a remarkable 5.57 significant strikes per minute — among the highest volumes in the division — though his grappling output is minimal, averaging just 0.13 takedowns per 15 minutes. His record now stands at 18-4-0.
Shavkat Rakhmonov, ranked third at welterweight, rounds out the landscape of contenders capable of generating rivalry narratives around the champion. The undefeated 31-year-old from Kazakhstan carries a 19-0-0 record and brings his own finishing credentials, landing strikes at 60 percent accuracy while also threatening with 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Prates can argue a finishing performance over Della Maddalena that Makhachev did not achieve, fueling title-shot rhetoric
- Rakhmonov's perfect record and Ian Garry both give the champion multiple contenders capable of building media heat
- The welterweight division now has a cluster of compelling storylines that could shape Makhachev's next opponent selection
