Manager Ali Abdelaziz has declared that Belal Muhammad's mandatory challenger Ignacio Bahamondes rival and rising contender Carlos Prates is the rightful next opponent for UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, ruling out Joaquin Morales. Abdelaziz argued that Prates has earned his shot by defeating former champions Leon Edwards and Jack Maddalena, whereas Morales' most notable win came over Sean Brady, who sits outside the UFC top five. Makhachev himself urged Morales not to wait for a title shot and to stay active in the meantime. Abdelaziz added that the timeline for Shavkat Rakhmonov's return remains unclear and that the welterweight contender picture still needs sorting out.
Prominent MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz has publicly stated that Carlos Prates — not Joaquin Morales — should be the next man to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title, according to a report that has not yet been officially confirmed by the promotion.
Abdelaziz made clear that Prates has earned the opportunity through notable victories over former champions, while he dismissed Morales' candidacy on the grounds that his most significant win came against Sean Brady, who currently sits outside the UFC's top five at welterweight. Makhachev himself weighed in, urging Morales not to wait around for a title shot and to instead keep himself busy with other bouts.
Makhachev enters any future matchup as the reigning UFC lightweight champion, carrying a record of 28-1-0 and the number-one pound-for-pound ranking. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw is one of the most complete fighters in the sport, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate. Standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, he has long been considered the division's dominant force.
Brady, whose name surfaced in Abdelaziz's argument, holds a 19-2-0 record and sits ranked sixth in the welterweight division. The 33-year-old Philadelphia product is a dangerous grappler in his own right, averaging 3.53 takedowns per 15 minutes, but his current ranking is central to Abdelaziz's case against Morales.
Abdelaziz also noted that the timeline surrounding welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov remains uncertain. The undefeated Kazakhstani standout, who carries a 19-0-0 record, has yet to have a return date established, leaving that division's contender picture unsettled as well.
Why it matters
- Abdelaziz's comments suggest Makhachev's camp has a preferred opponent in mind, though no fight has been made
- Morales' path to a title shot faces a credibility challenge based on the perceived strength of his résumé
- Rakhmonov's uncertain status adds further complexity to the welterweight landscape heading into the second half of 2026
