Carlos Prates has shared his perspective on why he believes the UFC will favor Ian Machado Garry for the next shot at the welterweight championship over him.
Ian Machado Garry, currently on a two-fight winning streak, recently secured a unanimous decision victory against Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar. Following this win, Garry publicly challenged champion Islam Makhachev and has been preparing for a potential bout against the Dagestani fighter in August, even seeking out wrestling partners to counter Makhachev’s style.
In contrast, Prates has achieved three consecutive knockout victories, with two of those wins coming against former UFC champions. As the No. 2 ranked welterweight contender, Prates anticipates facing the winner of a potential Garry vs. Makhachev title fight.
Carlos Prates on Why Ian Machado Garry is Poised for a UFC Welterweight Title Fight Against Islam Makhachev
Speaking on the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast, Prates, also known as “The Nightmare,” explained that Garry’s willingness to accept fights on short notice is the key factor that will lead the UFC to grant him the next title shot.
Prates recalled that Garry took on Shavkat Rakhmonov on short notice in 2024. More recently, in 2025, Garry accepted a last-minute fight against Prates himself, ultimately winning by unanimous decision and handing Prates his first UFC loss.
Prates believes that Garry’s history of accepting challenging fights with little preparation has impressed the UFC’s management, making him the prime candidate for the next title opportunity. He stated:
“I fought Geoff Neal, I fought Leon Edwards, and I fought JDM. I knocked out three guys, two former champs. If we look at the last three fights of Ian, he lost to Shavkat, and he beat 2 guys. Me by points, and also Belal Muhammad by points… He got two fights on short notice. Me and Shavkat. I think it’s probably the way the UFC sees it. You got your fights, and now we are going to help you… He was a top contender. He didn’t need to fight me on short notice… Yet he [agreed to fight me].”
Carlos Prates’ comments regarding Ian Machado Garry can be viewed in the following social media post:
Carlos Prates feels that Ian Garry will be rewarded by the UFC for accepting fights at short notice with a title shot.
Via: @pound4poundshow pic.twitter.com/6HZJPSWZaM
— Fighters Only (@FightersOnly) May 29, 2026
