Carlos Prates has announced his intention to serve as the backup fighter for the Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry main event. Prates has put himself forward as the top replacement option should either fighter be forced to withdraw.
Carlos Prates has put himself forward as the backup fighter for the welterweight title main event between champion Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry, positioning himself as the first man in line should either competitor be forced out of the bout.
Makhachev enters the contest as the reigning welterweight champion, carrying a record of 28-1-0 at 34 years of age. The Russian southpaw, who trains out of Eagles MMA, is ranked at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings and brings a well-rounded game to the division. He lands 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and converts at a striking accuracy of 58 percent, making him a threat in every phase of the fight.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," is the fifth-ranked welterweight and arrives at 32 years old with a 24-7-0 record fighting out of Vale Top Team. The Brazilian switch-hitter stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and is one of the division's most active strikers, producing 3.77 significant strikes per minute. His length and output make him a stylistically compelling emergency option for any welterweight main event.
Why it matters
- Prates is the fifth-ranked welterweight, meaning a late replacement slot could still carry meaningful divisional implications
- His high striking volume and wide reach present a contrasting style to the wrestling-heavy approach of Makhachev
- Having a ranked backup in place protects the integrity of a championship main event if either Makhachev or Garry encounters a late withdrawal
