Carlos Prates has admitted he expects to get "smashed" by Islam Makhachev for periods of their fight, should they clash over the UFC welterweight ******* le – but he believes he will ultimately knock out the Russian.
Prates is seen as the likeliest contender to face Makhachev next, given he is 7-1 in the UFC with seven knockout wins, including stoppages of former champions Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards.
Makhachev last fought in August, outpointing Ian Machado Garry, the only man to beat Prates in the UFC. With that win, the 34-year-old Russian confirmed his status as the UFC's pound-for-pound No 1 fighter.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (Reuters)
Still, Prates is confident that Makhachev would suffer the same fate as so many others, if he fought the Brazilian, 33.
#pound
Prates is seen as the likeliest contender to face Makhachev next, given he is 7-1 in the UFC with seven knockout wins, including stoppages of former champions Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards.
Makhachev last fought in August, outpointing Ian Machado Garry, the only man to beat Prates in the UFC. With that win, the 34-year-old Russian confirmed his status as the UFC's pound-for-pound No 1 fighter.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (Reuters)
Still, Prates is confident that Makhachev would suffer the same fate as so many others, if he fought the Brazilian, 33.
#pound
2 months ago
