Carlos Prates says he'll get 'smashed' before knocking out Islam Makhachev

Carlos Prates has made an intriguing prediction for a potential showdown with Islam Makhachev, the UFC welterweight champion. The title contender expects to weather an early storm of Makhachev's elite wrestling—"getting smashed," as he colorfully put it—before turning the tables late in the fight and securing a knockout in the fourth or fifth round to claim the belt. Prates' confidence was bolstered by Makhachev's recent title defense against Ian Garry at UFC 330. Watching Garry successfully defend against and escape Makhachev's grappling convinced Prates that he possesses the tools to do likewise, particularly in maintaining position with his back against the cage—a technique he employs regularly. Prates, the leading candidate for the next title shot at 170 pounds, believes the blueprint laid out at UFC 330 shows Makhachev is beatable, making a potential matchup an exciting prospect.