TLDR
- Islam Makhachev vs Carlos Prates is being targeted for UFC 336 on January 30, 2027, in Toronto
- Jean Silva believes Makhachev cannot survive five rounds without taking a big shot from Prates
- Prates has finished all seven of his UFC victories by knockout or technical knockout
- Makhachev won the welterweight title in November 2025 and defended it once against Ian Garry
- Silva points to Prates’ knockout power as a major advantage over Makhachev’s previous opponent Garry
Sources: sherdog.com | sherdog.com | sherdog.com
Islam Makhachev is close to booking his next UFC welterweight title defense against Carlos Prates. According to reporter Alvaro Colmenero, the fight is being targeted for UFC 336 on January 30, 2027, in Toronto.
“Prates can train hard now because, if the negotiations continue on their course, we’ll see the Brazilian fighting against Islam Makhachev next January 30 at #UFC336 in Toronto,” Colmenero wrote on X.
Jean Silva is confident Carlos Prates will be the one to dethrone Islam Makhachev:
"The moment he lands his hand, the fight is over, It’s five rounds. I doubt he can go five rounds without taking a big shot from Prates."
(🎥 @guicruzzz) pic.twitter.com/0wQ9C26NFd
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) October 13, 2026
Makhachev holds a 29-1 record and defended the lightweight title four times before moving up to welterweight. He defeated Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision to win the 170-pound title in November 2025.
The champion made his first welterweight title defense against Ian Garry in August. That performance caught the attention of Jean Silva, who trains alongside Prates.
Teammate Questions Makhachev’s Strategy
Silva expressed confidence that Prates will become the next UFC welterweight champion. He pointed to Makhachev’s willingness to trade strikes with Garry as a potential weakness.
“[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 this creates an advantage for his teammate. He thinks Makhachev will struggle to avoid Prates’ striking power over a full five-round fight.
“That’s a huge advantage for Carlos Prates, because he knows that the moment he lands his hand, the fight is over,” Silva said. “It’s five rounds. I doubt he can go five rounds without taking a big shot from Prates.”
Prates Brings Perfect Finishing Record
Prates enters the potential title fight with a 24-7 record. All seven of his UFC victories have ended in finishes.
His knockout power has been on full display throughout his promotional run. Prates has finished Jack Della Maddalena, Leon Edwards, Geoff Neal, and Neil Magny inside the Octagon.
The Brazilian is coming off a third-round stoppage of Della Maddalena in May. That victory served as revenge for Makhachev’s decision win over the same opponent in his title-winning performance.
Prates has earned 19 of his 24 career victories by knockout or technical knockout. His only UFC loss came by decision against Ian Garry, the same fighter Makhachev recently defeated.
Makhachev’s wrestling prowess has been his trademark throughout his career. But Silva believes the champion cannot rely solely on grappling against Prates’ striking threat.
The fight negotiations are still ongoing. If finalized, UFC 336 would mark Makhachev’s second defense of the welterweight title and Prates’ first UFC championship opportunity.
