Carlos Prates Thinks Islam Makhachev Would Favor Him Over Ian Garry for Inaugural Title Defense

Brazilian welterweight star Carlos Prates weighs in on his chances to leapfrog Ian Garry for a title shot against Islam Makhachev.

Carlos Prates Thinks Islam Makhachev Would Favor Him Over Ian Garry for Inaugural Title Defense

Carlos Prates talks about Islam Makhachev snubbing Ian Garry (via MMA Mania, Instagram)

In Short
  • Carlos Prates believes Islam Makhachev sees him as an easier fight than Ian Garry.
  • Makhachev has chosen Prates as his preferred challenger for the title defense.
  • Prates has gained attention for his knockout victories, including a recent win over Jack Della Maddalena.

Carlos Prates has emerged as a striking superstar in the welterweight division, known for knockout power, with eight UFC knockout wins. UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev is widely regarded as one of the most dominant wrestlers in the sport. As Prates approaches a potential title shot, fans doubt his ability to handle Makhachev’s wrestling. However, he insists he can compete at the highest level.

Makhachev’s wrestling is widely regarded as one of the most dominant forces in MMA. While the Dagestani star is well-rounded, his wrestling and sambo remain key to his octagon success. He is riding a 16-fight win streak, tied for the longest in UFC history. He recently delivered a dominant UFC 322 performance, defeating Jack Della Maddalena by 50-45 on all scorecards to win the welterweight title.

Ian Machado Garry has been discussed as a potential challenger for Makhachev’s first title defense. Garry boosted his case by defeating former champion Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar. He holds the #1 contender spot with strong wrestling defense, which many see as giving him an edge over Prates. However, the Brazilian star recently weighed in on his own chances for a future title shot.

He [Islam] just thinks that I’m an easier fight than Ian Garry. Because Ian beat me. Leon Edwards took me down, JDM took me down, Ian Garry took me down one time. Maybe he thinks it’s gonna be easy.

Carlos Prates via The Daniel Cormier Show

However, another reason Garry may edge ahead of Prates in the title race comes from their April 2025 UFC Kansas City meeting. The short-notice main event saw the Irishman use movement and grappling control to dictate key phases of the fight. He ended Prates’ 13-fight win streak with a composed five-round performance, earning a unanimous decision and strengthening his position in the division rankings.

Prates has since risen as a strong contender in the division through a series of knockout victories. He defeated Geoff Neal at UFC 319 via spinning elbow in a standout finish. Prates then knocked out Leon Edwards at UFC 322, strengthening his reputation as a dangerous finisher. He most recently cemented his status by stopping Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC Perth main event, pushing his case for a title shot.

Ultimately, talks for UFC 330 in August 2026 initially pointed to Ian Machado Garry facing Islam Makhachev in his first title defense. However, the champion has instead chosen Carlos Prates as his preferred challenger, seeing the Brazilian as a more exciting striker. This shift highlights the Brazilian’s rise as a title contender and sets up a classic clash between elite wrestling and knockout power.

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Carlos Prates reveals what he said to Jack Della Maddalena while brutalizing him

Carlos Prates delivered a major statement at UFC Perth with a knockout victory over Jack Della Maddalena in hostile territory. The Brazilian entered JDM’s hometown and imposed his presence from the opening exchanges, refusing to be affected by the atmosphere. He excelled in every area, consistently outlanding and outmaneuvering the former champion before securing the defining finish.

Carlos Prates, Jack Della Maddalena
Carlos Prates brutalizes Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth [via Yahoo Sports]

Prates was also open about the financial motivation behind his aggressive fighting style, admitting that the UFC’s bonus structure plays a key role in how he approaches fights. Even at UFC Perth, he kept on asking Della Maddalena to get up from knockdowns so he could land his signature highlight reel knockouts. ‘The Nightmare’ recently revealed what he said to the Australian star during their Perth clash.

I said, ‘Hey, I’m sorry, I don’t wanna hurt you. I just want title shot.’

Carlos Prates via The Daniel Cormier Show

These comments from Carlos Prates mirror a rare UFC pattern of fighters communicating during high-pressure exchanges. Khabib Nurmagomedov famously did the same in his UFC 205 bout against Michael Johnson. The Dagestani star spoke to his opponent while maintaining dominant control on the ground. That moment highlighted how elite fighters can combine physical pressure with psychological disruption.

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