Islam Makhachev has confirmed that he and his team have talked about a possible move up to middleweight. The welterweight champion said he would need to gain a lot of muscle for such a move and that the idea still needs more thought. Makhachev is expected to defend his 170-pound title next year against the winner of Carlos Prates vs Michael Morales.
Islam Makhachev has acknowledged that a move up to middleweight has been a topic of conversation inside his camp, as first reported by Bloody Elbow. The reigning welterweight champion said he would have to add a significant amount of muscle to compete at 185 pounds and that the idea still requires more thought. Makhachev is expected to defend his 170-pound title next year against the winner of Carlos Prates vs Michael Morales.
Makhachev, 35, is 29-1 and holds the welterweight belt. The Russian southpaw from Eagles MMA is coming off a unanimous decision win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15, 2026, his most recent recorded fight. Before that he beat Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision in a title fight at UFC 322, and he submitted Renato Moicano in the first round at UFC 311. He lands 2.27 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy and averages 3.22 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Size is the obvious hurdle. Makhachev stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, so any middleweight run would mean giving up natural size against much larger men.
Prates, 33, is ranked second at welterweight with a 24-7 record. The Brazilian has won three straight by knockout or TKO, most recently stopping Della Maddalena in the third round on May 2, 2026. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute and stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach.
Morales, 27, is undefeated at 19-0 and ranked third. The Ecuadorian has finished his last three recorded opponents inside the distance, each by KO/TKO, including a first-round stop of Sean Brady at UFC 322. His 5.62 significant strikes landed per minute is the highest of the three fighters here.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's own comments suggest a middleweight move is not imminent, with the welterweight title defense still the expected next step.
- Both possible challengers are taller than the champion: Prates by three inches in height and eight in reach, Morales by two inches in height and nine in reach.
- Both contenders are knockout finishers with takedown rates far below Makhachev's 3.22 per 15 minutes, Prates at 0.21 and Morales at 1.09.
Carlos Prates vs Michael Morales
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