Carlos Prates has his sights on a much bigger prize than just his next assignment, saying he would welcome a showdown with reigning UFC champion Islam Makhachev.
With a high-stakes matchup against Jack Della Maddalena looming at UFC Fight Night 275, Carlos Prates is already thinking about the kind of win that could change his career. The Brazilian welterweight said he would love a future fight with Islam Makhachev, the current champion widely viewed as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.
That kind of callout matters because the welterweight title picture is far from settled, and a statement win in Perth, Australia, on May 2 could push Prates into a very different tier of contender status. Makhachev has become the measuring stick for elite talent across divisions, so even mentioning his name signals how highly Prates views his own ceiling.
“It would be great to fight Islam. He’s the champion and the one you need to beat, the best in the world regardless of weight class. A win over a guy like that is a huge step forward for any fighter. I think that would be awesome,” Prates said, according to MMA Fighting.
Before any dream matchup can become realistic, Prates has a serious test in front of him. He is set to meet Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC Fight Night 275 in Perth, a setting that should strongly favor the Australian contender with a loud home crowd behind him. For Prates, that adds another layer of pressure and opportunity: beating a proven name on enemy turf is exactly the kind of performance that gets American fans and UFC matchmakers paying attention.
The stakes are clear for both men. A Prates win would strengthen his case as a legitimate threat in one of the UFC’s deepest divisions, while a Della Maddalena victory would protect his place near the top of the welterweight ladder. The result in Perth may do more than settle one main event — it could shape who enters the next wave of title conversations.
