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Carlos Prates Sends Strong Warning to Islam Makhachev After UFC 330 Win
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Islam Makhachev was victorious in his UFC Welterweight Championship defense against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on Saturday night, winning by unanimous decision with judges' scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47.
For some, it immediately raised the question regarding his next opponent, as one is already waiting in the wings to challenge Makhachev for the championship.
Carlos Prates attended the big UFC event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this weekend, and soon after the main event fight had ended, a video surfaced online of Prates delivering a warning to Makhachev.
"I will knock you out, bro. I will knock you out. I will bring that belt to Brazil. The first welterweight champion from Brazil," Prates said in the video clip .
Prates is on a three-fight winning streak, last defeating Jack Della Maddalena via third-round TKO at May's UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs. Prates in Perth, Australia.
His most recent loss came to Makhachev's opponent from last night. Prates fell to Machado Garry via unanimous decision at last April's UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates event.
However, Prates (24-7-0) is currently ranked No. 1 among welterweights in the Meta UFC Rankings , spotlighting him as the clear choice for Makhachev's next fight opponent. He's recorded 19 knockouts in his career and believes he would do the same to Makhachev.
That said, some believe it would be an easy win for the UFC Welterweight Champion, since Prates isn't quite as skilled with wrestling as Machado Garry. Makhachev is an elite grappler with multiple submission wins during his MMA career, and Prates could struggle to defend if he gets taken down.
Makhachev seems to have an idea of who deserves the next shot at his championship. After his win on Saturday night, he spoke about fighting him in the future.
"Honestly, if you ask me today, Shavkat is not fighting; Prates still fighting, still active, and maybe Prates. Because Morales also is good, but I don't know last time, I don't remember when he fight. If you ask who is more deserving, I think Carlos Prates," he said .
Makhachev, 34, also indicated he wanted to fight sooner rather than later due to his age, so it seems Prates will likely get a shot at the champ if the powers that be set this one up.
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