Carlos Prates vs. Makhachev targeted for UFC 336 in Toronto
Prates’ Fighting Nerds teammate Jean Silva doubts the champion can survive five rounds without taking a big shot from the Brazilian.
Carlos Prates could soon get his shot at the UFC welterweight title. According to MMA reporter Alvaro Colmenero, the promotion is working to book the Brazilian against champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 336, set for January 30, 2027, in Toronto, Canada. The UFC has not officially announced the fight.
Colmenero posted the news on X on Tuesday, and it was picked up by outlets such as Sherdog and NY Fights. According to the reporter, the fight will happen in January if negotiations stay on their current course.
What Jean Silva said about Makhachev
Jean Silva, Prates’ teammate at Fighting Nerds in São Paulo, is already picking a winner. Speaking to MMA Fighting, Silva said Makhachev was willing to stand and strike with Ian Garry in his last title defense only because Garry does not hit as hard as Prates.
“[Makhachev] stood to trade with Ian Garry because Ian Garry doesn’t have the kind of knockout power that Prates does,” Silva told MMA Fighting. “He’s not going to stand and trade with Prates.”
Silva believes that power is his teammate’s biggest weapon. “That’s a huge advantage for Carlos Prates, because he knows that the moment he lands his hand, the fight is over,” he said. “It’s five rounds. I doubt he can go five rounds without taking a big shot from Prates.”
Striker vs. grappler
The UFC’s official athlete profile lists Prates as a striker, and his numbers back it up. The 33-year-old is 24-7 as a pro, with 19 wins by knockout or TKO. All seven of his UFC wins have come by stoppage, and he is currently ranked No. 2 in the division.
Makhachev, who is 29-1, comes from the opposite direction. A product of sambo, the Russian combat sport built on takedowns, control and submissions, he has built his career on dragging opponents to the mat and wearing them down there. He has also stirred up the Jiu-Jitsu community more than once, arguing that sambo is more effective and pushing back at Gordon Ryan.
Their common opponent: Jack Della Maddalena
Both men have fought the same opponent. In November 2025, at UFC 322 in New York, Makhachev took the welterweight title from Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision, taking the Australian down again and again to become a two-division champion. That same night, Prates knocked out former champion Leon Edwards.
In May, Prates met Della Maddalena himself in the UFC Perth main event in Australia. The Brazilian won by third-round knockout with ground strikes, becoming the first fighter to knock out two former welterweight champions in back-to-back fights.
Makhachev made his first title defense in August at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, beating Garry by unanimous decision. The win was his 17th straight in the UFC, breaking the record of 16 held by Brazilian legend Anderson Silva.
Prates’ only UFC loss
Garry is also the only man to beat Prates in the UFC. The two headlined a card in Kansas City in April 2025, and Garry won a five-round unanimous decision. Prates has not lost since.
The possible booking comes in a week when UFC matchmaking is under fire from Brazilians, after Alex Pereira accused the UFC of manipulating fans to book Gane vs. Hokit. If this one is made official, Prates will face the man who took Anderson Silva’s win-streak record, with a chance to end it in Toronto.
What do you think: can Carlos Prates knock out Makhachev, or will the champion take him down and keep the belt? Let us know in the comments.
Read more:
- What is sambo and how is it different from Jiu-Jitsu
- Alex Pereira accuses UFC of manipulating fans to book Gane vs. Hokit
