UFC favorite boldly reveals how Islam Makhachev could lose to Jack Della Maddalena in title return

Carlos Prates breaks down Islam Makhachev’s title assault

Missing out on his perfect run to the welterweight crown, Fighting Nerds staple Carlos Prates saw his momentum halted by Ian Garry last time out, dropping a decision loss to the Irish striker.

And set to feature beneath both Makhachev and Della Maddalena on the main card in New York, the Brazilian meets former champion Leon Edwards in a high-stakes matchup.

Offering his thoughts on the night’s headliner, Prates boldly predicted Della Maddalena would have the answers for Makhachev’s relentless grappling, and win as a result.

“Jack (Della Maddalena) has shown he’s grown up a lot as a fighter,” Prates told Uncrowned. “…And he got really good skills to fight Belal Muhammad. He defends takedowns, so I think he’s gonna win.

“Yeah, I think a decision, it’s a really hard fight.”

However, as far as Prates’ words of warning are concerned, Makhachev has been backed more closely to home to turn in a historic title charge at welterweight.

Islam Makhachev’s strength expected to serve him well at welterweight

Making his bones throwing lightweights around the Octagon during his rise and ultimate title run, Makhachev racked up a history-making run at the limit, defending his belt more times than close teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov.

And having coached both Makhachev and unbeaten Hall of Fame star Nurmagomedov, American Kickboxing Academy technician Javier Mendez claims the former is the “strongest” lightweight he has ever seen in the gym.

“I think the biggest thing on our side is he’s (Makhachev) very strong,” Mendez told Submission Radio. Very strong. He’s super, super strong. Out of all my lightweights, he is the strongest one out of all of them.

“I don’t recall one lightweight stronger than him. Not even close, he’s the strongest. So, out of everybody I have, he’s the guy that has the best opportunity to handle the strength of the bigger guys.”