Carlos Prates calls out UFC champion Islam Makhachev for an easy fight.

2 hours ago7 min read

In a bold move that has sent ripples through the MMA community, UFC welterweight Carlos Prates has thrown his name into the hat for what he audaciously labels an 'easy fight' against the reigning champion, Islam Makhachev. Prates, fresh off a stunning knockout victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 322, didn't just call out the champion; he presented a sales pitch built on a startling premise: his own perceived vulnerability.'I am the simplest opponent for Islam,' Prates declared, drawing a direct comparison to the formidable Kamaru Usman, a wrestler whose skills he acknowledged with a respectful, 'He is damn good in wrestling. ' By positioning himself as the 'easiest option' and openly referencing his history of being taken down, Prates is employing a reverse-psychology tactic rarely seen at this elite level.It’s a high-stakes gamble reminiscent of a calculated underdog strategy in football, where a team might openly concede a perceived weakness to lure a stronger opponent into a false sense of security, only to exploit an opening they never saw coming. Makhachev, of course, is no ordinary champion.His dominant victory over Jack Della Maddalena on the same card was a masterclass in control and technique, further cementing his status as one of the most complete fighters in the sport, a figure whose dominance can be compared to the tactical supremacy of a Pep Guardiola-led side. The callout from Prates raises immediate questions about the champion's next move.While a title shot for Prates seems a distant prospect given the queue of established contenders, his explosive knockout power makes him a dangerous dark horse. This situation mirrors the unpredictable nature of a cup tournament, where a lesser-known team can upset a giant on any given night.Experts are already weighing in on the potential matchup. Does Makhachev take the bait, accepting a fight that on paper seems less risky, thereby avoiding the immediate threats posed by veterans like Usman? Or does he view it as a distraction, a fight that offers little to gain in terms of legacy but everything to lose? The calculus for the champion is complex, involving not just sporting merit but also the commercial appeal of a fighter like Prates, who is clearly learning to play the promotional game.For Prates, this is more than a callout; it's a statement of ambition. He isn't just asking for a fight; he's trying to rewrite the narrative around himself, transforming from a mere contender into a strategic thinker willing to use his own record as a weapon. Whether this audacious play earns him the life-changing opportunity he seeks or simply marks him as a clever negotiator in the brutal business of fight promotion, it has undoubtedly injected a fresh dose of drama into the UFC's welterweight landscape, proving that in combat sports, as in any great sporting saga, the mind games are often as compelling as the physical contest itself.

#UFC

#Islam Makhachev

#Carlos Prates

#callout

#fight booking

#featured

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