Carlos Prates has flown to the United States ahead of the Islam Makhachev and Shavkat Rakhmonov bout, reportedly intending to watch the fight live so he can immediately learn the name of his next opponent. Prates is widely regarded as the leading contender in line for a title shot.
Carlos Prates has reportedly traveled to the United States to watch the Islam Makhachev and Shavkat Rakhmonov welterweight title fight in person, with the Brazilian contender said to be eager to find out immediately who his next opponent will be. The report has not been officially confirmed, and the trip is being framed as a statement of intent by the man widely considered next in line for a title shot.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," holds a 24-7 record and is currently ranked second in the welterweight division. The 32-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Vale Top Team, stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and fights out of a switch stance. He is one of the more active strikers in the division, averaging 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, while rarely looking for takedowns or submissions.
Islam Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion, enters the bout at 28-1 and is ranked among the pound-for-pound elite at just 34 years old. The Russian southpaw from Eagles MMA stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach and blends high-volume striking — 2.63 significant strikes landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy — with persistent grappling, averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Prates is reportedly the leading welterweight contender, meaning the winner of Makhachev vs. Rakhmonov could be his next opponent
- His aggressive striking style would present a sharply different challenge than many previous title challengers
- At six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, Prates would hold a notable size advantage over Makhachev if that fight were made
