Islam Makhachev commented on Carlos Prates' recent victory with a playful message saying 'Great work, Nutella cake' followed by a laughing emoji. The lighthearted social media interaction suggests Makhachev is acknowledging Prates' performance while using humor. The post was shared across multiple platforms for followers who might have difficulty loading the original content. While brief, the comment indicates Makhachev is paying attention to potential future opponents in the division.
Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has taken notice of Carlos Prates, responding to the Brazilian's recent victory with a playful social media message that read "Great work, Nutella cake," accompanied by a laughing emoji.
The brief but pointed comment signals that Makhachev, who holds the welterweight title with a 28-1 record, is keeping a close eye on the division's contenders. The 34-year-old Russian, who trains out of Eagles MMA, is a southpaw standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach. He is currently ranked number one in the pound-for-pound standings and brings a grappling-heavy game to the octagon, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, while also posting a striking accuracy of 58 percent.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," sits at number five in the welterweight rankings and carries a 24-7 record into his current run. The 32-year-old Brazilian, who fights out of Vale Top Team, is a switch-stance striker with a notable physical profile — six-foot-one with a long 78-inch reach. He generates serious offensive output, averaging 3.77 significant strikes per minute, and his recent performance was enough to earn acknowledgment from the champion himself.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's comment, however humorous, suggests the champion is aware of Prates as a potential future opponent at welterweight.
- Prates' ranking at number five and his high striking volume make him a credible contender in the division.
- The physical contrast is stark: Prates holds a significant eight-inch reach advantage over the champion, which would shape any potential matchup stylistically.
- Makhachev's grappling-dominant approach against Prates' volume striking would present a compelling style clash at the top of the division.
