Carlos Prates reveals his ideal opponent if he doesn't fight for the UFC welterweight title against Makhachev.

Prates at the Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/thenightmare_170

Carlos Prates He's aiming for the elite of the UFC welterweight division (up to 77 kg). The 32-year-old Brazilian is ranked sixth and is confident he will fight for the division's belt in 2026. Prates detailed in an interview who he could fight next year.

In an interview with the MMA Fighting website, Carlos Prates During the Corinthians vs. Botafogo match, he analyzed a possible UFC title fight against... Islam makhachevIf he is not the next challenger for the Russian champion, the athlete believes he needs one more victory and Jack Della Maddalena He would be the ideal opponent.

"I know Kamaru Usman To fight for the belt, I'll need another fight. If it's not Kamaru, I think it will be me… That's what (Islam) Makhachev wants, (to fight Usman) they have the same management team… Usman is already one of the greatest of all time in the category, for me, the greatest. So, whatever happens, it's fine… We're thinking about April 2026, at a numbered event in Las Vegas (regarding a good date for his fight with…) Jack Della Maddalena“…He (Jack) just lost the belt, so we would beat him and definitely go straight for the title shot. That’s what we want… By mid-2026, we’ll be there (for the belt),” he said. Carlos Prates in conversation with Guilherme Cruz, a journalist from the North American website MMA Fighting.

.@thenightmare170 sat down with @guicruzzz during the Corinthians vs. Botafogo match to look ahead towards a potential #UFC title shot against Islam makhachev:

“If Kamaru Usman fights for the belt, I'll need another fight. If it's not Kamaru, I think it will be me.” pic.twitter.com/eIYH6r9Rwg

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) December 10, 2025

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Carlos Prates targets former champion and projects Makhachev and Ian Garry's next opponents in the UFC.

Carlos Prates' stats in MMA.

Carlos Prates He has a record of 23 wins and seven losses in his professional MMA career. Prates has been in the UFC since February 2024, when he defeated... Trevin giles via knockout in the second round of UFC Fight Night 236.

Carlos Prates He has six wins and one loss in the UFC, and is currently ranked sixth in the welterweight division. The Brazilian joined the company through Dana White's Contender Series. Prates signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship after winning... Mitch Ramirez via technical knockout in the second round, in August 2023.