Welterweight KO Artist Willing to Welcome Ilia Topuria Once Championship Belt is Secured in the Stacked Division

Carlos Prates dominantly beat Jack Della Maddalena in front of the Australian’s home crowd in Perth earlier this month. With that victory under his belt, the ‘Nightmare’ has set his sights on the UFC welterweight title. But after that, he wants a dream match against UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.

Before his win at UFC Perth, Prates also knocked out Leon Edwards at UFC 322. The Brazilian now has two consecutive victories over former champions in his division. Even the rumored next challenger for the belt, Ian Garry, has only one win over a former champion, having beaten Belal Muhammad last year.

Carlos Prates had earlier revealed that his next fight would be against the winner of Islam Makhachev‘s next title defense for the welterweight championship. The ‘Nightmare’ then told Ariel Helwani about his plans after getting the belt. Specifically, he revealed his plan to welcome Ilia Topuria to the welterweight division.

I talked with them, with the UFC, after my fight. Of course, we talked some things I cannot say, but I really think I will be the next. It doesn’t matter who gets the win between Islam and Ian Garry, I will be the next…I’m thinking about to get the belt and then asking Topuria if he wants to come to 170. Let’s do this. Let’s dance!

Carlos Prates via Ariel Helwani Show

Carlos Prates wants to welcome Ilia Topuria to the welterweight division:

"I'm thinking about getting the belt and then maybe asking Topuria if he wants to come to 170. Let's do this. Let's dance." pic.twitter.com/cSQuujUGdU

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 19, 2026

Islam Makhachev teased that his next fight would be in July and confirmed that he was already in camp. However, Conor McGregor‘s return at UFC 329 has changed things drastically. It now seems Makhachev will return in August, as Dana White had said earlier.

Moreover, as the Brazilian welterweight suggested that the pound-for-pound No. 1’s next opponent is likely Ian Garry. Even Ariel Helwani seemingly confirmed this, telling his guest that he heard from insiders that the fight is simply awaiting announcement.

Nevertheless, Prates is certain that no one will leapfrog him for the next title shot. Even so, he had a hilarious response to Ilia Topuria potentially usurping his title shot.

Carlos Prates shrugged off Ilia Topuria’s welterweight title chances with a funny response

Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria is a fight that almost every UFC fan has clamored for since the pair began contesting the pound-for-pound No. 1 spot against each other.

The fight was rumored for the UFC Freedom 250 card, with differing accounts detailing why it fell through. Even so, Carlos Prates seems to have learned something that makes him confident of his being next in line after the rumored fight for the welterweight belt in August.

The ‘Nightmare’ did not even entertain the possibility of the lightweight champion leapfrogging him for a title shot. When Mike Heck asked Prates about his reaction if such a situation transpired, he responded with a joke about going down to lightweight and capturing the belt before quickly walking back his words.

Okay, so then I go to the lightweights, I’m going to fight to the lightweight belt. I can do 155. Of course, I can. Normally I have 85 kg, 84, so I can do lightweight. But I’m kidding. I don’t want to do too much diet anymore

Carlos Prates via Mike Heck

However, he then answered the question seriously, revealing that he would simply wait things out. It seems that is also his plan this time around, following UFC Perth. The ‘Nightmare’ told Ariel Helwani that it favors him to wait, recover, improve, and then challenge for the title.

In this recent Ariel Helwani Show appearance, the Brazilian knockout artist also revealed that he strongly believed that El Matador would continue to fight at 155lbs.

Regardless of how things play out, Carlos Prates has secured his position among the top contenders in this stacked welterweight division. So, his next fight should be quite interesting, even if it isn’t against Ilia Topuria.

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