Carlos Prates Calls Out Islam Makhachev for UFC 334

Carlos Prates is publicly campaigning for a welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev in New York City this November, posting a direct callout on Instagram tagging the champion with the message "and new."

Prates wants the fight to land at UFC 334 on November 14, a date that would put Makhachev back in the building where he made history. Makhachev won the 170-pound title inside Madison Square Garden by beating Jack Della Maddalena, adding a second-division crown to a lightweight reign already considered one of the greatest runs in the sport. He has since made one successful defense, a unanimous decision over Ian Machado Garry, and is currently taking time off before deciding his next move.

Why Prates Over Michael Morales

Prates isn't the only name in the welterweight title conversation, but he appears to have the champion's own endorsement. Makhachev has said publicly that he'd rather fight Prates next than Michael Morales, arguing Morales hasn't stayed active enough to earn the shot. Morales' most recent outing came on the same November 2025 card where Makhachev won the belt, a first-round TKO over Sean Brady that briefly made him one of the division's hottest prospects.

Both Prates and Morales were ringside at UFC 330 in Philadelphia to watch Makhachev handle Garry over five rounds, a scene that read like two men auditioning for the same job. Nothing is finalized, and a step-aside injury or a change of heart from the UFC could still open a lane for Morales. But between the champion's own comments and Prates pushing hard in public, the smart money inside the promotion appears to be on a Makhachev-Prates pairing.

Does a November Date in New York Make Sense

Makhachev has told reporters he intends to fight once more before Ramadan, which puts a soft deadline on his next defense sometime before Ramadan begins in 2027. A November booking fits comfortably inside that window, and returning to New York would let the UFC lean into the same "and new" moment Prates is already selling on social media. Nothing has been confirmed by the UFC, but the pieces line up well enough that Prates' callout reads less like wishful thinking and more like a fighter trying to force a decision that's already trending his way.

For bettors, the interesting number here isn't a betting line, since nothing is booked or priced yet, it's the sequencing. If the promotion books Makhachev against Prates instead of Morales, expect futures markets on the welterweight division to shift immediately, with Morales likely drifting further out on any next-in-line odds while Prates becomes the live betting story of the fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carlos Prates fighting Islam Makhachev next?

Nothing is officially booked, but Carlos Prates has publicly called for a title fight against Islam Makhachev in New York City on November 14, and Makhachev has said he'd prefer to fight Prates over Michael Morales.

Why does Islam Makhachev want to fight Carlos Prates instead of Michael Morales?

Islam Makhachev has said Michael Morales hasn't been active enough to earn a title shot, noting Morales has fought only once, a first-round TKO of Sean Brady, since November 2025.

Where did Islam Makhachev win the UFC welterweight title?

Islam Makhachev won the UFC welterweight championship at Madison Square Garden in New York City by defeating Jack Della Maddalena, and he has since defended it once with a decision win over Ian Machado Garry.