Carlos Prates has offered his insights into why top contender Ian Machado Garry is favored to receive the next shot at the UFC welterweight title over himself.
Garry, currently on a two-fight winning streak, most recently defeated Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision at UFC Qatar. Following this victory, he openly challenged champion Islam Makhachev. “The Future” has also been actively preparing by seeking out southpaw wrestlers to aid his strategy against Makhachev. He is anticipated to face the Dagestani wrestling expert in August.
Meanwhile, Prates has achieved three consecutive knockout victories, with two of his opponents being former UFC champions. The Brazilian fighter is now ranked as the No. 2 welterweight contender and believes he will face the winner of the potential Garry vs. Makhachev title bout.
Carlos Prates on Why Ian Machado Garry is Expected to Face UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev Next
Speaking on the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast, Prates, also known as “The Nightmare,” elaborated on the reasons behind the UFC’s likely preference for Garry over him for Makhachev’s next title defense. He highlighted Garry’s willingness to accept two fights on short notice.
In 2024, Ian Machado Garry stepped in on short notice to face Shavkat Rakhmonov. In 2025, he took another last-minute bout against Carlos Prates, securing a unanimous decision win and handing Prates his first UFC defeat.
Prates suggested that Garry’s history of accepting fights under challenging circumstances has impressed the UFC leadership, which 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 points… He got two fights on short notice. Me and Shavkat. I think it’s probably the way the UFC sees it. You got your fights, and now we are going to help you… He was a top contender. He didn’t need to fight me on short notice… Yet he [agreed to fight me].”
You can watch Carlos Prates’ comments regarding Ian Machado Garry below:
Carlos Prates feels that Ian Garry will be rewarded by the UFC for accepting fights at short notice with a title shot.
Via: @pound4poundshow pic.twitter.com/6HZJPSWZaM
— Fighters Only (@FightersOnly) May 29, 2026