Carlos Prates: ''Islam Makhachev Will Be Smashing Me, Then I Will Knock Him out in the Fourth or Fifth Round!''

Brazilian knockout specialist Carlos Prates wants a title fight against UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. Speaking to UFC veteran Gilbert Burns, Prates revealed that he is currently talking with the promotion about a date for the match. He thinks headlining UFC 335 on December 12 in Las Vegas would be perfect, though a January event in Australia is also a possibility.

Prates expects a tough battle. He compares the matchup to the famous 2012 rematch where Anderson Silva survived a difficult first round on the ground before knocking out Chael Sonnen early in the second round. While Prates knows Makhachev is a dangerous wrestler, he grew confident after watching Ian Machado Garry’s recent fight against the champion where the Irish fighter had plenty of success defending Islam's takedown attempts.

With big knockout wins over Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards, Prates believes his standing cage defense is ready while his striking precision and power would be overwhelming for the reigning champion. Prates predicts surviving early pressure on the ground before knocking Makhachev out late in the fight.