Islam Makhachev responded to Carlos Prates' recent victory with a playful comment. Makhachev wrote 'Great work, Nutella cake' with a laughing emoji, appearing to mock or tease Prates following his win. The nickname reference is unclear from context but represents Makhachev's reaction to Prates' performance. This social media exchange could be part of building interest in a potential future matchup between the two fighters.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev took to social media on May 2 to comment on Carlos Prates following the Brazilian's most recent victory, writing "Great work, Nutella cake" alongside a laughing emoji in what appeared to be a teasing jab at the fifth-ranked contender.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and currently sits atop both the welterweight division and the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian southpaw out of Eagles MMA is one of the sport's most complete fighters, landing 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate while also averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes. His grappling threat is constant, adding 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes to an already difficult offensive puzzle.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," enters the conversation at 24-7 and has worked his way to the number-five spot in the welterweight rankings. The 32-year-old Brazilian trains out of Vale Top Team and brings a switch-stance striking game built around volume, averaging 3.77 significant strikes per minute. At six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, he carries a notable size advantage over most opponents and offers almost no takedown threat of his own, averaging just 0.21 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's public callout, however playful, places Prates directly in the champion's line of sight at 170 pounds
- The stylistic contrast is sharp — Makhachev's elite grappling against Prates' high-volume striking game
- A win over Prates' recent opponent positions "The Nightmare" as a credible challenger, and the champion's reaction suggests he is paying attention
- The reach and size differential — Prates holds an eight-inch reach advantage over Makhachev — adds an intriguing dimension to any future booking conversation
