Prates Expects to 'Get Smashed' Before Beating Makhachev

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Carlos Prates says he expects Islam Makhachev to hurt him early in a potential UFC welterweight title fight, but he's already planning the knockout that follows.

Speaking with fellow Brazilian Gilbert Burns, Prates laid out exactly how he sees a fight with Makhachev unfolding if it gets made. He isn't dressing it up. He expects a rough opening, then a finish on his terms.

What Did Carlos Prates Say About Islam Makhachev?

Prates predicted he'll absorb punishment before turning the fight around, comparing his outlook to one of the sport's most famous comeback stories. He referenced Anderson Silva's win over Chael Sonnen, a fight in which Sonnen dominated for nearly five rounds before Silva submitted him late, as the blueprint for how he sees his own path against Makhachev playing out. The message from Prates is that he's not afraid of an early deficit against a wrestler of Makhachev's caliber, because he trusts his power to close the show if the fight gets deep enough.

That's a notable admission from a fighter built almost entirely on frontloaded violence. Prates has finished six of his last seven UFC opponents, and none of those fights needed a fourth or fifth round to get there.

Why Prates Is the Frontrunner for Makhachev's Next Defense

Prates has positioned himself as the leading contender for Makhachev's welterweight title. He's 7-1 in the UFC with seven knockout wins, including finishes of two former champions, Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards, in his last two outings. Makhachev, who just outpointed Ian Machado Garry, the only man to beat Prates inside the Octagon, in his most recent title defense, has cemented himself as the UFC's pound-for-pound number one. Michael Morales is the other name in that conversation, but Prates' run of stoppages over ranked, former-champion opposition gives him the stronger case for the next shot.

Betting Angle

If this fight gets made, expect Makhachev to open as a significant favorite, and Prates' own comments hand oddsmakers part of the reasoning. A fighter who volunteers that he expects to get overwhelmed early against a dominant wrestler is describing exactly the kind of fight that makes him a live underdog on paper but a live dog nonetheless. Prates' style, forward pressure and one-shot power, is the profile that has troubled grapplers before, and his recent knockouts of Della Maddalena and Edwards show he can find a finish from bad positions. Bettors weighing this matchup should watch for how the line treats round total and method props once it's officially booked, since Prates himself is pricing in a slow start before he tries to land the fight-ending shot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Carlos Prates say about fighting Islam Makhachev?

Carlos Prates told Gilbert Burns he expects to get 'smashed' early in a fight with Islam Makhachev but believes he'll ultimately knock him out, comparing it to Anderson Silva's comeback win over Chael Sonnen.

Is Carlos Prates fighting Islam Makhachev next?

No official fight has been announced, but Carlos Prates is widely viewed as the likeliest next challenger for Islam Makhachev's UFC welterweight title after knockout wins over former champions Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards.