Carlos Prates Warns Islam Makhachev: 'Somebody Will Pay'

Carlos Prates has fired off a warning shot at Islam Makhachev, telling the UFC welterweight champion that "somebody is going to pay" as he trains for what looks like the next title shot at 170 pounds.

Prates, ranked No. 2 in the welterweight division, posted the message on his Instagram stories while working through a training camp that appears aimed squarely at Makhachev. "Yes, Makhachev... Whatever I'm going through here at this gym, somebody is going to pay for it. And guess who's going to pay? You!" Prates said. In a follow-up post, the Brazilian knockout artist went a step further, predicting the outcome outright: "Davai [come on] brother! 29-2!"

That number is a direct shot at Makhachev's unbeaten run at welterweight. Makhachev sits at 29-1 and just made the first defense of his 170-pound title in August against Ian Machado Garry. He has since said he wants to fight again before Ramadan, with a second defense targeted for late 2026 or early 2027. The UFC has not officially confirmed a Prates-Makhachev pairing, but the timeline and the trash talk both point toward that fight materializing next.

Why Prates Makes Sense as the Next Challenger

Carlos Prates has built his case with power, not politics. The 33-year-old southpaw carries a 24-7 professional record and has become known across the welterweight division for finishing fights early, a style that stands in sharp contrast to Makhachev's grinding, wrestling-heavy control game. If the UFC books this fight, it sets up a genuine style clash: a champion who wants to put opponents on their backs against a challenger who wants to keep the fight standing and ending things fast.

Makhachev has not lost since 2015 and has cleaned out two divisions, so nobody views a callout alone as reason to doubt him. But Prates has earned the right to talk. He has climbed the rankings quickly and now sits one spot from the top of the division, making him the most logical live opponent left for a champion who has already beaten most of the contenders in his path.

What This Means for the Betting Markets

Nothing is official yet, so sportsbooks have not posted a line for this matchup. But once the UFC confirms Makhachev's next title defense, expect him to open as a clear favorite given his unbeaten record and his dominance since moving up from lightweight. The interesting number to watch will be the method-of-victory market. Prates presents more finishing danger on the feet than most welterweights Makhachev has faced, so bettors chasing value may look at Prates-by-KO/TKO props rather than backing him outright on the moneyline. Until the bout is made official, the smart move is to wait and see where the line actually opens rather than guess at numbers now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carlos Prates fighting Islam Makhachev next?

The UFC has not officially confirmed the matchup, but Islam Makhachev has named Carlos Prates as his next opponent for a welterweight title defense targeted for late 2026 or early 2027.

What is Carlos Prates' current UFC record?

Carlos Prates carries a 24-7 professional record and is ranked No. 2 in the UFC welterweight division.

What did Carlos Prates say about Islam Makhachev?

Carlos Prates posted on Instagram that 'somebody is going to pay' for what he is going through in training camp, and predicted Makhachev's record would fall to 29-2 after their fight.