Carlos Prates Hilariously Reacts To Ilia Topuria’s Potential Welterweight Title Shot

Ilia Topuria and Carlos Prates (Photo by Imagn Images)

Carlos Prates Hilariously Reacts To Ilia Topuria’s Potential Welterweight Title Shot

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Pavan Sharma | Last updated May 1, 2026 2:06 PM ET

Ilia Topuria had planned to move to welterweight and aimed to become a three-division champion. Many believe Topuria could move up and challenge Islam Makhachev if he wins at the White House card. Meanwhile, Carlos Prates reacted to ‘El Matador’s’ potential move to welterweight.

Many welterweight stars are in line for the title shot, and Prates is one of them. However, the Brazilian star gave a funny reaction when asked about the lightweight champion possibly skipping the welterweight line for a title shot. During his recent interview with MMA Fighting, he said:

“OK, so then I go to the lightweights, I’m going to fight to the lightweight belt,” Prates said. “I can do 155. Of course, I can. Normally I have 85 kg, 84, so I can do lightweight. But I’m kidding.“

Would Carlos Prates drop to lightweight if Ilia Topuria leapfrogs him for a welterweight title shot?

( @DamonMartin) pic.twitter.com/QFzxJYr4KN
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) May 1, 2026

The 32-year-old knows it would be frustrating if the Spanish fighter got an instant title shot. Meanwhile, Prates also mentioned that the division gets slowed down. However, Topuria always seeks bigger challenges and aims to evolve.

Ilia Topuria Says He Has Evolved Dangerously

Ilia Topuria is warning fans that an even scarier version of him is coming. Topuria said this is the first time in his life that he is going into a fight without financial pressure on his shoulders. He mentioned that fans will see his powers at 200 percent. In a recent interview with Jorgeebro, he said:

“Thank God for giving me the stability where neither I nor my children will ever lack anything… So now you’re going to see a different Ilia. You’re going to see El Matador, not at 100% but at 200%, someone who truly enjoys the art. If I was dangerous before, now I’m extremely dangerous.”

Ilia Topuria says he no longer needs to fight for money after his last fight:

"For the first time in my life, I'm going to step into the octagon where my life doesn't depend on what happens in there.

Thank God for giving me the stability where neither I nor my children will… pic.twitter.com/n0CL4Q29jf
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 1, 2026

According to “El Matador,” that freedom changes everything. He says now he can enter the cage purely to enjoy the art of violence, which in his mind makes him twice as dangerous as before. Now, fans wait for the UFC White House card, where he will be defending his title for the first time against Justin Gaethje.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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