Carlos Prates is out here saying the quiet part loud, admitting he expects to “get smashed” for periods if he clashes with Islam Makhachev for the UFC welterweight title, yet he’s still rock-solid confident he will ultimately knock out the Russian champion. This isn’t some underdog hoping for a lucky punch, folks. Prates, seen as the likeliest challenger, is laying out his entire fight plan, and it’s wild.
Prates isn’t just talking smack either, he’s got the resume to back up some serious claims. The guy is 7-1 in the UFC with seven knockout wins, including stoppages of former champions Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards. He stopped Della Maddalena in round three in May, and before that, he knocked out Edwards in round two six months prior. This fan favorite clearly knows how to finish fights. He’s looking at Makhachev’s last fight in August, where the pound-for-pound No. 1 outpointed Ian Machado Garry, the only man to ever beat Prates in the UFC, and he’s not intimidated.
In fact, watching Makhachev’s fight with Machado Garry only *boosted* Prates’ confidence. He even compared his strategy to Anderson Silva’s classic bout with Chael Sonnen. Prates told compatriot Gilbert Burns, “Chael Sonnen got the mount in the first round; in the second, [Silva] went out there and knocked the guy out.” He sees himself going through a similar grinder, expecting to get “smashed” initially, but believing the first time he gets back to his feet and starts hurting Makhachev, he’s going for the knockout, somewhere around the fourth or fifth round. Prates specifically noted how he saw Machado Garry defend certain positions, especially with his back against the cage, the same way Prates does “every fight.” He’s convinced Makhachev will be in trouble when he gets his hands on him and says he’s “very confident” he will bring that welterweight belt home.
So, here we are, with Carlos Prates and Michael Morales as the likeliest options for Makhachev’s next opponent. Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champ who won the belt in November by dominating Della Maddalena, is aiming for his second defense of the title. He only gave up the lightweight belt earlier in 2025 after achieving a record-breaking four successful title defenses. This isn’t just another fight, it’s a chance for Prates to make good on an incredibly bold prediction against arguably the best fighter in the world. Get ready, because if Prates gets his shot, he’s planning to take that belt.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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