Islam Makhachev responded to Carlos Prates' recent victory with a brief message saying 'Great work, Nutella cake' followed by a laughing emoji. The comment appears to be a playful jab at the Brazilian contender. Details about the context of the specific victory or the relationship between the two fighters are limited in this post. The lightweight champion's reaction suggests he is paying attention to potential future opponents in the division.
Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev took a moment to weigh in on Carlos Prates following the Brazilian contender's recent win, posting a brief message on social media that read "Great work, Nutella cake" accompanied by a laughing emoji. The comment, while short, signals that the champion is keeping a close eye on the division's rising contenders.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and carries a pound-for-pound ranking that places him among the sport's elite. The Dagestan native trains out of Eagles MMA and brings a southpaw wrestling-heavy game to the cage, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 58 percent. His reach measures 70 inches, and he lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute, a modest volume that reflects his control-based approach.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," enters the conversation ranked fifth in the division at 32 years old. The Brazilian southpaw-switch striker out of Vale Top Team carries a 24-7 record and is one of the more dangerous strikers in the weight class, landing 3.77 significant strikes per minute with 55 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, he holds a significant physical edge over many opponents and relies almost entirely on his striking, recording virtually no submission attempts.
Why it matters
- Makhachev publicly acknowledging Prates suggests the champion views him as a legitimate contender worth watching
- Prates sits at number five in the division, meaning a strong run could position him for a title shot
- The stylistic contrast is sharp: Makhachev's grappling-first approach against Prates' high-volume striking game would make for a compelling matchup
- The playful tone of the champion's comment keeps the interaction in the social realm for now, with no official confirmation of any booking
