Islam Makhachev vacated the lightweight belt to get his shot at greatness Saturday at Madison Square Garden, where he challenges Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title in the UFC 322 main event.
However, 170-pound contender Carlos Prates believes the matchup is closer than some people might see it.
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Makhachev is the odds-on favorite after winning his past 15 fights in the UFC, a run that includes victories over Alexander Volkanovski, Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier. On the other side, Della Maddalena has also not lost in nearly decade, compiling an 18-fight streak with eight octagon victories.
“I know Makhachev is good on the feet and he’s good on the ground, and Jack Della Maddalena is a boxer,” Prates told MMA Fighting. “He might be stronger than Makhachev. I’m anxious to see, but the champion isn’t champion by accident. From what I’ve followed, the fight slightly favors Jack Della Maddalena, right?”
Prates competes on the same card, battling former champion Leon Edwards in hopes to insert his name in the conversation for a shot at the gold. He’s down to face whoever holds the belt, but said that having a touted champion as Makhachev across the cage would “definitely” mean more in terms of legacy.
Only one man was able to beat Makhachev in MMA, Brazil’s Adriano Martins, who knocked Makhachev out in his second UFC bout back in 2015. The Russian has won 15 straight since with three knockouts and seven submissions, but Prates knows the ideal game plan to come out victorious.
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“From what I watch, I think it’s defend the takedowns and beat him up, right?” Prates said with a laugh. “If you let him get on top [position], even if you’re good at jiu-jitsu, it’s hard to sweep a guy like that, it’s hard to submit a guy like that. His wrestling is very high level, he has a very good base. I think it’s really defend the takedowns, tire him out, attack the body, the legs, and then knock him out.”
