Carlos Prates has shared his perspective on why top contender Ian Machado Garry is likely to receive the next UFC welterweight title opportunity over him.
Garry, currently on a two-fight winning streak, most recently defeated Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision at UFC Qatar. Following this victory, he openly challenged champion Islam Makhachev. “The Future” has also been seen training with southpaw wrestlers in Georgia to prepare for a potential matchup against Makhachev, with a fight against the Dagestani wrestling expert anticipated for August.
Meanwhile, Prates has secured three consecutive knockout victories, with two of these wins coming against former UFC champions. The Brazilian fighter is now ranked No. 2 in the welterweight division and anticipates facing the winner of a potential Garry vs. Makhachev title bout.
Carlos Prates on Ian Machado Garry’s Path to the UFC Welterweight Title Shot
On the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast, Prates, also known as “The Nightmare,” elaborated on why he believes the UFC will favor Garry for the next shot at Islam Makhachev’s welterweight title. Prates highlighted Garry’s history of accepting fights on short notice.
In 2024, Ian Machado Garry took on Shavkat Rakhmonov on short notice. In 2025, he accepted another last-minute fight against Carlos Prates himself, ultimately winning by unanimous decision and handing Prates his first UFC defeat.
Prates suggests that Garry’s willingness to take risks on short notice has impressed UFC executives, and this is the primary reason he is expected to get the next title shot. He stated:
“I fought Geoff Neal, I fought Leon Edwards, and I fought JDM. I knocked out three guys, two former champs. If we look at the last three fights of Ian, he lost to Shavkat, and he beat 2 guys. Me by points, and also Belal Muhammad by pointsโฆ He got two fights on short notice. Me and Shavkat. I think itโs probably the way the UFC sees it. You got your fights, and now we are going to help youโฆ He was a top contender. He didnโt need to fight me on short noticeโฆ Yet he [agreed to fight me].โ
Watch Carlos Prates’ commentary on Ian Machado Garry below:
