On May 2, 2026, Carlos Prates finished Jack Della Maddalena in the third round at UFC Fight Night held in Perth, Australia. This decisive victory positions Prates as a serious contender for a title shot against champion Islam Makhachev.
Prates’ win marks his seventh knockout in the UFC. He is now tied for fifth all-time for knockouts in the UFC welterweight division. Matt Brown holds the record with 13 knockouts, and Prates needs just one more to tie for second place.
Daniel Cormier commented on Prates’ performance, stating, “Carlos Prates is a madman. But in that fight, he was more patient than I’ve seen him fight in a long time, if ever.” Cormier believes Prates has put himself on a short list of fighters who could potentially challenge Makhachev.
After his victory, Prates immediately called for a title shot. He previously defeated notable fighters like Leon Edwards and Geoff Neal, showcasing his readiness for championship contention. However, Ian Machado Garry is currently expected to receive the next title shot against Makhachev.
In his last encounter with Garry in 2025, Prates lost by decision. Still, after this latest performance, Cormier declared that Prates is now championship ready. He stated, “Dude’s championship ready, man. He’s championship ready right now.”
Islam Makhachev holds the record for the most title defenses at lightweight and is considered a daunting obstacle for any contender in the welterweight division. The implications of Prates’ win could shift the landscape of future matchups.
As of midday May 2, it remains unclear when Makhachev will defend his title next or if he will face Prates immediately after Garry. The anticipation surrounding this potential matchup continues to grow among fans and analysts alike.
