Jean Silva believes Islam Makhachev could face serious trouble on the feet if he shares the Octagon with Carlos Prates in a potential UFC welterweight title fight.
Speculation is growing that Prates could be next in line to challenge Makhachev for the welterweight championship, with a possible main event at UFC 336 in Toronto, Canada, on January 30, heavily rumored.
Makhachev most recently competed at UFC 330 in August, earning a five-round decision victory over Ian Machado Garry to successfully defend the title he claimed from Jack Della Maddalena in late 2025.
Although Makhachev was willing to exchange strikes with Machado Garry, Silva believes that approach would be far riskier against Prates, who is known for his knockout power.
Speaking with MMA Fighting this week, Silva, a teammate of Prates, explained why he believes the Brazilian striker would present a different challenge for the champion.
“He stood to trade with Ian Garry, because Ian Garry doesn’t have the kind of knockout power that Prates has,” Silva said.
“He’s not going to stand and trade with Prates. That’s a huge advantage for Carlos Prates, because he knows that the moment he lands his hand, the fight is over.”
Silva also questioned whether Makhachev could survive the full five rounds without absorbing a significant strike from Prates.
“It’s five rounds. I doubt he can go five rounds without taking a big shot from Prates,” Silva added.
A potential matchup would pit Makhachev’s grappling-heavy style against Prates’ dangerous striking, creating an intriguing clash of strengths at 170 pounds. While Makhachev has established himself as one of the sport’s most accomplished fighters, Prates’ knockout threat could pose a major test if the champion chooses to engage in prolonged exchanges on the feet.
However, the proposed fight remains speculative, and no official announcement has confirmed Prates as Makhachev’s next opponent or established UFC 336 as the venue for their potential showdown.
