Carlos Prates Vows Brutal Knockout Against Islam Makhachev, Promises to Bring Belt to Brazil

Carlos Prates has issued a bold warning to UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, stating his firm intention to deliver a spectacular knockout if he secures the next title shot.

Makhachev recently made history by successfully defending his 170-pound title for the first time, extending his record for the most consecutive wins in UFC history to 17. He defeated Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 330.

Prates was present at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia to witness Makhachev's victory. He believes he is the clear number one contender and, if matched against Makhachev, predicts a definitive knockout win. A clip shared by Pedro Baptista captured Prates' direct message to the welterweight king:

"I will knock you out, bro," Prates declared. "I will bring that belt to Brazil. The first welterweight champ from Brazil."

Prates is currently on a three-fight win streak, having finished notable opponents in each bout. Most recently, the Brazilian powerhouse defeated former UFC welterweight title challenger Jack Della Maddalena. Prior to that, he secured knockout victories over ex-UFC champion Leon Edwards and Geoff Neal.

In his last 15 fights, Prates has an impressive record of 14 wins and only one loss. The sole defeat came against Ian Machado Garry in a fight where Prates almost achieved a remarkable comeback.

Makhachev has stated his intention to return to the Octagon before Ramadan. If the champion's next fight is delayed until January 2027, Prates might need to compete one more time before earning a shot at the UFC gold. However, he could also potentially wait if the UFC management considers him the undisputed number one contender.

Another fighter frequently mentioned in title discussions is Michael Morales. The promising Ecuadorian fighter was also in attendance at UFC 330 and has been vocal about his desire for a championship bout. There has been speculation that a fight between Morales and Prates could determine the next contender for the UFC title, though the outcome of such a potential matchup remains uncertain.