New rivalry? Carlos Prates meets Islam Makhachev backstage at UFC 322; check out the video.

Carlos Prates and Islam Makhachev are standouts in the UFC welterweight division. Photo montage by SUPER LUTAS.

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Carlos Prates already had the chance to face his possible next target in the Ultimate. After knocking out Leon Edwards at UFC 322, held last Saturday (15), the Fighting Nerds athlete asked for the opportunity to face the welterweight champion (up to 77 kg), and the meeting took place, although, for now, outside the octagon.

In a video published by reporter Evelyn Rodriguez, Islam Makhachev is seen meeting Carlos Prates backstage at UFC 322. The footage shows the Russian walking towards the octagon to face Jack Della Maddalena in the main event, when he ends up bumping into the Brazilian.

Watch the fight between Carlos Prates and Islam Makhachev at UFC 322

Carlos Prates could be Islam Makhachev's first challenger in the welterweight division.

With six knockouts and six performance bonuses in six UFC fights, Carlos Prates believes his ability to entertain inside the octagon is his greatest weapon in securing a title shot against newly crowned champion Islam Makhachev.

Despite the Brazilian's strong argument, the competition in the category is intense. Michael Morales defeated Sean Brady also by knockout, Ian Garry faces former champion Belal Muhammad next Saturday (22) and, in addition, names like Kamaru Usman and Shavkat Rakhmonov remain firmly at the top of the division.

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