Carlos Prates opens up on why Islam Makhachev may see him as easier than Ian Garry

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Carlos Prates opens up on why Islam Makhachev may see him as easier than Ian Garry

Originally posted on HITC | By Filipe Guedes | Last updated May 26, 2026 9:28 AM ET

Islam Makhachev’s first welterweight title defence is already building intrigue, with several reports suggesting a bout with Ian Machado Garry could be finalised later this year.

But nothing has been announced by the UFC, which leaves room for other contenders to read the situation differently while the division waits for clarity.

Carlos Prates is now central to that debate after raising his contender status by beating former champion Jack Della Maddalena, then assessing what Makhachev may really want.

Carlos Prates thinks Islam Makhachev sees him as an easier fight

Asked by Daniel Cormier about Makhachev recently saying he viewed Prates as the next title contender, the Brazilian striker gave a direct answer.

“I think he said that just because he thinks I’m an easier fight than Ian,” he began by saying.

“I don’t know [why he would think that]. Maybe because Ian beat me, Leon Edwards took me down, JDM took me down, Ian Garry took me down one time, maybe he’s thinking like, ‘It’s gonna be easy.’”

‘The Nightmare’ then stated: “But when I fought these guys I didn’t care about takedowns.”

That reading could become a trap for Makhachev in the future, since Prates did not shy away from saying he barely focused on wrestling in his previous fights.

The Brazilian contender made it clear the approach to training camp for a fight against the Dagestani star would be completely different.

In that context, the big question is whether his effort in a 3-month prep would be enough to hold Makhachev’s pressure.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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