Sports · Combat Sports · 18 hrs ago
Charles Oliveira backs Carlos Prates to challenge Islam Makhachev
Charles Oliveira believes Carlos Prates can beat Islam Makhachev for the UFC welterweight title.
Makhachev, who previously held the lightweight title, won his first welterweight defense against Ian Garry.
Garry went the distance and had moments of success, which Oliveira says revealed openings in the champion’s game.
Oliveira points to Prates’ knockout power and kicks to the ribs and calves as ways to exploit those openings.
He also says Prates’ composure will matter if Makhachev does not finish the fight early.
Prates is expected to challenge Makhachev next year, though the matchup has not been confirmed in the sources.
Oliveira has fought Makhachev himself, losing by submission in 2022, and is now backing a fellow Brazilian to take the title.
Charles Oliveira says Carlos Prates has a real chance to beat UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Oliveira believes Ian Machado Garry’s performance against Makhachev revealed a blueprint Prates can use.
He pointed to Prates’ knockout power, jiu-jitsu and potential to land kicks to the ribs and calves.
Prates is expected to challenge for the 170-pound title next year, but the fight has not been confirmed in the articles.
Makhachev defeated Oliveira by second-round submission in their lightweight title fight in 2022.
- Who
- Carlos Prates is expected to challenge champion Islam Makhachev; Charles Oliveira backed Prates.
- What
- Oliveira said Prates has the tools to beat Makhachev for the UFC welterweight title.
- When
- The potential fight is expected next year; the articles were published on October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Oliveira believes Garry exposed openings that Prates could exploit with kicks and knockout power.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Makhachev submitted Oliveira in the second round to become UFC lightweight champion.
Makhachev recorded his first successful defense of the welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry.
Articles reported Oliveira’s prediction that Prates could beat Makhachev.
Prates is expected to challenge for the 170-pound championship.
- Prates’ UFC record
- 7 wins, all by finish
- Makhachev’s record
- 29-1
- Prates’ record
- 24-7
- Expected title division
- Welterweight, 170 pounds
- Oliveira-Makhachev fight
- Makhachev won by second-round submission at UFC 280
3 sources
What people are saying
I think Garry showed Prates the blueprint.
I usually say these matchups will be close, but this time, I believe Prates has a real chance to win.
If he lands those kicks to the ribs and calves, just like Garry did, he could catch the champion off guard.
If Islam doesn’t secure a finish in the first or second round and Prates maintains the composure he’s shown in his recent fights, he has everything he needs to win.