Islam Makhachev responded to Carlos Prates' recent victory with a lighthearted social media comment, calling him "Nutella cake" with a laughing emoji. The comment suggests Makhachev is tracking Prates' performance, likely as a potential future opponent. This playful jab may be referencing Prates' appearance or personality, though the specific context of the nickname is not explained in the post. The brief interaction indicates there is awareness between the two fighters, possibly setting up future promotional tension. Makhachev's attention to Prates' win suggests the Brazilian contender is being considered as a potential lightweight title challenger.
Islam Makhachev took to social media following Carlos Prates' recent victory to drop a brief but telling comment, calling the Brazilian contender "Nutella cake" alongside a laughing emoji — a lighthearted exchange that nonetheless signals the reigning champion is watching the lightweight division's rising names closely.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and is the current welterweight champion, as well as the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter on the roster. The Russian southpaw out of Eagles MMA is one of the most technically complete fighters in the sport, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing 58 percent of his significant strikes — a volume and efficiency combination that has made him difficult to dethrone.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," enters the picture at 24-7 and ranked fifth in the division at 32 years old. The Brazilian switch-hitter from Vale Top Team stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach — a notably longer frame than Makhachev's 70-inch reach — and leads the division in striking output, landing 3.77 significant strikes per minute with 55 percent accuracy. His game is built almost entirely on striking, as his numbers show virtually no takedown or submission threat.
Why it matters
- Makhachev publicly acknowledging Prates after a win adds informal promotional heat to a potential title matchup.
- Prates' five ranking and surging striking output make him a credible contender for a future shot.
- The stylistic contrast is stark — a wrestler-grappler champion against a pure striker with a significant reach advantage — which could generate strong matchup interest.
- The comment remains informal and no fight has been announced or confirmed.
