Carlos Prates believes there’s only one name ahead of him in the welterweight title race.
Islam Makhachev ruled one contender out of the running to be the first challenger after he claimed the 170 pound gold in November.
However, even with one top name being discounted, there are still several viable contenders who could be next for the Russian champion.
Several of them produced statement performances on the same night that the welterweight title changed hands at Madison Square Garden.
After knocking out Leon Edwards, Carlos Prates has an ideal opponent in mind if the UFC decides that he needs one more win to earn his first title shot.
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Who’s the biggest threat to Islam Makhachev at welterweight?
UFC’s welterweight rankings:
- #1 – Jack Della Maddalena
- #2 – Ian Machado Garry
- #3 – Shavkat Rakhmonov
- #4 – Michael Morales
- #5 – Belal Muhammad
- #6 – Carlos Prates
- #7 – Sean Brady
- #8 – Kamaru Usman
- #9 – Leon Edwards
- #10 – Joaquin Buckley
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Carlos Prates wants Jack Della Maddalena in April if he doesn’t get the title shot
Islam Makhachev’s was apparently approached about fighting in January, with two names being in the conversation to face him.
Neither Kamaru Usman or Ian Machado Garry produced the kind of performances that made fans demand that they get a title shot next, though they’re probably the two biggest names in the mix.
After Makhachev named Usman as his desired opponent, Carlos Prates told MMA Fighting in a recent interview that he believes ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is the only one that would stop him from getting the next shot.
Does Kamaru Usman deserve to fight Islam Makhachev after everything he’s accomplished?
How do you feel about the former champ potentially getting a title shot? Let us know in the comments.
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The Brazilian said that he believes he’ll need another win if Usman fights for the title next, which seems likely based on what he’s hearing.
With that in mind, Prates knows when he’d like to return and who he’d like to face so that he can face the champion in 2026.
“We’re thinking April, a numbered card in Las Vegas,” he stated. “I think that’s a good date… Jack Della Maddalena. He just lost the belt, so we’d beat him and for sure go straight to the title.”
Carlos Prates isn’t upset at the idea of Kamaru Usman jumping the line at welterweight
The talk of Kamaru Usman potentially facing Islam Makhachev hasn’t been received overly positively by the fans.
Many believe that contenders like Ian Machado Garry, Carlos Prates, and Michael Morales are more deserving due to their recent fights.
Prates, however, doesn’t appear to take much issue with Usman jumping the queue to challenge for the belt before him.
“Usman is already one of the greatest of all time in the division. For me, the greatest,” he told MMA Fighting. “So whatever happens, it’s fine.”
Prates added that he doesn’t believe that Usman will be the one to dethrone Makhachev, though he doesn’t think it will be an easy fight for the champion either.
“No, not easy. But, he won’t win. I don’t think Usman wins.”
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