TLDR
- Carlos Prates signed an eight-fight UFC deal guaranteeing more than $1 million per fight
- Prates was promised a title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 336 in January 2027
- Makhachev withdrew from the fight without providing a clear reason to the UFC
- Prates will now fight undefeated Michael Morales for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336
- Prates’ manager says he may be the second-highest-paid Brazilian fighter in the UFC behind Alex Pereira
Sources: sherdog.com | mmafighting.com | sportscapemagazine.com
Carlos Prates has signed a new eight-fight contract with the UFC that guarantees him more than $1 million per fight. The 33-year-old Brazilian welterweight confirmed the lucrative deal in a recent interview with Fighters Weekly.
“It’s more [than $1 million per fight],” Prates said. “I’m really happy. I’m really happy.”
Prates’ manager Lucas Lutkus told MMA Fighting that the fighter is receiving the highest purse he has ever negotiated with the UFC. Lutkus said it’s possible that Prates is now the second-highest-paid Brazilian fighter in the organization behind only Alex Pereira.
“I don’t know what the other fighters are making, but based on what we’ve been able to find out, it’s entirely possible that Prates really is the second-highest-paid Brazilian fighter in the UFC,” Lutkus said. “Even for fights that aren’t for the title, he has a guaranteed seven-figure purse.”
Carlos Prates rates Islam Makhachev's striking HIGHER than Michael Morales', arguing that Morales relies more on raw power and aggression than technical ability. 😳
"His [Morales] striking isn't that polished, but he's very strong."
"I actually think Makhachev is better on the… pic.twitter.com/zHFYNFskK1
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) November 3, 2026
Prates earned the new contract after a successful UFC debut year that saw him win four straight fights with a 100 percent knockout rate. He defeated Neil Magny, Li Jingliang, Charles Radtke, and Trevin Giles before knocking out former champion Jack Della Maddalena in May 2026.
Makhachev Withdraws From Planned Title Fight
Prates was promised a shot at the welterweight title minutes after his knockout victory over Della Maddalena at UFC Perth. The UFC planned for him to fight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 336 on January 30, 2027 in Toronto.
Makhachev had publicly stated he wanted to fight before Ramadan begins on February 7, 2027. “Bro, we have to fight before Ramadan. 100 percent. January, end of the year, I have to fight,” Makhachev said on August 16, 2026.
However, on October 20, the UFC called Lutkus to inform him that Makhachev had withdrawn from the fight. According to Lutkus, the champion did not provide a reason for his decision.
“The UFC called me last Tuesday and said, ‘Islam is out,'” Lutkus said. “I asked if it was an injury, and they said Islam hadn’t given them a reason. He had only said he wouldn’t be ready for January.”
Lutkus said the UFC was upset with Makhachev’s sudden change of plans. “The UFC doesn’t know either, and that’s why they were a little upset with Islam,” he said. “He kept telling us he was going to do this the whole time, and now, with three months to go, he’s backing out of what we agreed on.”
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Makhachev had verbally agreed to fight Prates at UFC 336. Makhachev has since said he plans to return after Ramadan.
Interim Title Fight Against Michael Morales
The UFC kept its promise to give Prates a title opportunity by creating an interim championship fight. Prates will now face undefeated Michael Morales for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336 in Toronto.
Morales brings a perfect 19-0 record into the fight, including seven wins in the UFC. He most recently knocked out Sean Brady in the first round.
Lutkus said the change in opponent does not affect Prates’ pay for the fight. The Brazilian will still receive the same guaranteed seven-figure purse.
Prates has discussed retirement in the past, saying he might stop fighting by age 35 or 36 after competing in more than 100 muay Thai bouts. However, the 33-year-old said his plans are not set in stone.
“I don’t know if I’m going to do all eight fights,” Prates said. “Or maybe two, or three, or one fight. I cannot say when I’m gonna stop fighting. Maybe I can stop tomorrow, maybe I can stop after the next fight.”
Prates said he will continue fighting as long as he feels competitive. “When I feel like I cannot compete anymore, I cannot be the number one anymore; it doesn’t make sense to fight. So maybe then I can retire.”
The winner of Prates versus Morales is expected to face Makhachev for the undisputed welterweight championship after Ramadan ends in 2027.
