A Muay Thai fighter, 33-year-old Prates has bounced back strongly following his decision loss to Ian Machado Garry, stopping Geoff Neal in the first round, Leon Edwards in the second and Jack Della Maddalena in the third in three successive fights.
Makhachev, meanwhile, broke the record for the longest winning streak in UFC history when he outpointed Machado Garry on August 15 for his 17th consecutive victory.
Prates and his manager, Lucas Lutkus, were recently photographed with UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell. Prates said this week that the meeting resulted in a new eight-fight contract and an assurance that he would receive the next title shot.
“I’m next one for the title,” Prates said. “Let’s go.”
Prates has suggested the title fight may not take place until December as Makhachev recovers from the damage he sustained against Machado Garry at UFC 330.