UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (28-1) has pointed to Carlos Prates (24-7) as the most compelling option for his next title defence, cooling talk of Ian Machado Garry (17-1).
Prates thrust himself into the conversation with a finish of Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth last weekend, adding to a growing list of contenders already pushing their cases. Garry had been among the loudest, publicly accusing Makhachev of faking a hand injury to dodge a potential fight. Makhachev, who claimed the welterweight title at UFC 322 last November which made him a two-weight champion, confirmed no opponent has been formally agreed upon. When pressed on who stood out, Makhachev said Prates.
“The UFC hasn’t informed me about it yet but there’s been a lot of rumors about me fighting Ian [Machado] Garry next. I haven’t talked with any [UFC] officials about this fight so I can’t tell for sure who is the next contender. I’ve got 3-4 more possible matchups. Kamaru Usman is also up there. Ian Garry, [Michael] Morales, Prates. Four of them, plus Shavkat [Rakhmonov], might be number five. They’re all expecting a title shot. But I think [Carlos Prates] has the hype now. He’s talked about much more now,” Makhachev said