What a moral! Champion Islam Makhachev praises Carlos Prates and jokes around at the UFC.

Prates focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

PUBLICITY:

Carlos Prates not only did he achieve the biggest victory of his career in UFC Perth, as well as receiving a great boost from one of the leading MMA fighters of today. Last Saturday (2), in the main fight of the event, the Brazilian put on a show and knocked out Jack Della Maddalena, former welterweight champion (up to 77,1 kg), in the third round in Australia. As a consequence of the performance, the member of the 'Fighting Nerds' team caught the attention of Islam makhachev, the title holder.

On his official 'X' account, the feared Russian congratulated Prates on his victory, which brought him closer to a title shot in the highly competitive division. Interestingly, in his last appearance in the octagon, which took place in November, Makhachev became welterweight champion precisely by dominating the Australian. Now, the Brazilian is the first athlete to knock out JDM in the UFC.

Because he has a friendly rivalry with the Brazilian fighter, Islam even joked with him, giving him a nickname. This is because, backstage at UFC 322 in 2025, the Russian, while struggling to make weight, was surprised to see Prates, in the final stages of his weight cut, eating a chocolate cake, something unusual before the professionals step on the scale. Therefore, the episode is further proof of how different the 'Nerd' is.

See too

Carlos Prates describes the moment he 'smelled' a knockout at UFC Perth.

Carlos Prates earns over half a million reais after a massacre at UFC Perth.

Beating of the year? Carlos Prates crushes Jack Della Maddalena and wins by knockout at UFC Perth.

"Good job, Nutella cake," wrote the UFC champion.

Victims of Prates in the UFC

In the UFC since 2024, Carlos Prates He's growing rapidly and becoming an elite welterweight. In the octagon, the Brazilian put on a show by knocking out his opponent. Trevin giles, Charles Radtke, li jingliang, Neil Magny, Geoff neal, Leon edwards e Jack Della Maddalena, earning seven 'Performance of the Night' bonuses. Currently, the fighter is ranked fifth in the division.

Good job, Nutella cake! #ufcperth

- Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 2, 2026