UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has proposed Carlos Prates as a replacement opponent for lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, citing Prates' recent dominant knockout victory. Cormier noted that while Makhachev defeated Jack Della Maddalena convincingly to retain his title, Prates' stoppage of the same opponent appeared even more impressive and brutal. The suggestion comes as debate continues over the most compelling next challenge for the champion. Cormier's comments highlight Prates' emergence as a serious contender in the lightweight division following his spectacular performance.
UFC commentator and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier has thrown Carlos Prates into the conversation as a potential next opponent for lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, pointing to Prates' recent stoppage victory as evidence the Brazilian belongs at the front of the line.
Makhachev, 34, enters the discussion fresh off a dominant title defense in which he defeated Jack Della Maddalena convincingly. The Russian champion, fighting out of Eagles MMA, holds a 28-1 record and currently sits atop both the divisional and pound-for-pound rankings. He lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 58 percent accuracy and adds 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete fighters in the sport.
Della Maddalena, the 29-year-old Australian ranked fourth in the division at 18-4, is one of the more active strikers in the welterweight ranks, averaging 5.57 significant strikes per minute. Despite that output, he came up short against Makhachev and, according to Cormier, was stopped even more decisively by Prates.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," is ranked fifth in the division at 32 years old and carries a 24-7 record fighting out of Vale Top Team. The Brazilian stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach — a notable physical advantage over most opponents — and averages 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. His knockout of Della Maddalena is what drew Cormier's attention, with the commentator describing the finish as more brutal and impressive than Makhachev's own win over the same man.
Why it matters
- Prates' finish of a shared opponent gives him a credible argument for a title shot
- His 78-inch reach and switch-stance striking would present Makhachev with an unusual physical challenge
- The suggestion adds momentum to an emerging contender who had not previously been widely discussed as a championship-level threat
- Makhachev's next opponent remains undecided, keeping the debate open
