Get ready for an exciting journey into the world of MMA! Carlos Prates, the rising star of the UFC, has his sights set on the welterweight title, and he's not afraid to call out the big names.
Prates, fresh off his knockout victory over former champion Leon Edwards, is eager to prove himself against the best. But here's where it gets controversial: he's not just aiming for the current champion, Islam Makhachev.
"The Nightmare" Prates has his eyes on a potential bout with Jack Della Maddalena, who recently faced Makhachev for the title. With Usman's recent struggles, Prates believes he could be next in line.
"If Usman fights for the belt, I'll need another step. But if it's not Usman, I think it's my time," Prates explained during an interview at the Corinthians stadium.
Usman, the former champion, has had a rough patch, losing to Chimaev and Edwards consecutively. Makhachev, on the other hand, claimed the title with a dominant performance against Della Maddalena.
Prates remains hopeful for a shot at Makhachev in 2026, but he's aware of the complexities involved. "There's Makhachev's wishes, and he shares management with Usman. Usman is a legend in the division, so it's a tricky situation," he said.
And this is the part most people miss: Prates doesn't think Usman will win against Makhachev. He believes his time will come, and he's confident he'll be fighting for the 170-pound title next year.
"We're targeting April, a numbered event in Las Vegas. Della Maddalena just lost the belt, so beating him would put us straight into title contention. That's our goal," Prates said.
But what about Prates' mother, Regina? Well, she had some interesting thoughts about her son's last fight. "She was happy, but she didn't like that Leon took my back. She's a tough critic!" Prates laughed.
So, who do you think Prates should face next? Usman, Makhachev, or someone else entirely? The MMA world is buzzing with possibilities. Let's hear your thoughts in the comments!
