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Oct 9,2026 09:26 PM IST

Colby Covington Names Carlos Prates' Biggest Problem Before Potential Islam Makhachev Showdown

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Sports Home US Sports MMA Colby Covington Names Carlos Prates Biggest Problem Before Potential Islam Makhachev Showdown

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Colby Covington Names Carlos Prates' Biggest Problem Before Potential Islam Makhachev Showdown

Colby Covington calls a potential Islam Makhachev vs Carlos Prates title fight “the easiest of Makhachev’s career”, predicting an early submission. Carlos Prates is widely expected to challenge Makhachev next after three straight UFC finishes.

NDTV Sports Desk
Updated: October 08, 2026, 4:49 AM EDT

Read Time: 3 min

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Colby Covington warns Carlos Prates ahead of Makhachev clash.© NDTV Photo Library

Colby Covington has delivered a brutal verdict on Carlos Prates' title hopes. He called the potential clash with Islam Makhachev “the easiest fight of Makhachev's career". Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, the former interim welterweight champion said the Brazilian striker has “nothing” for the Russian pound-for-pound king. Covington predicted a quick submission finish. His comments sharpen the stakes ahead of what is widely expected to be Islam Makhachev's next defence, as Prates rides three straight finishes. Including two over former champions, he positions himself as the No. 2 contender at 170 pounds.

Colby Covington says Carlos Prates has no chance against Islam Makhachev: "Easiest fight of his career" "Nah, no chance, bro. Carlos has nothing for him. He's just a straight striker. That's going to be the easiest fight of Makhachev's career. He's going to take him down and submit him... He needs to quit smoking cigarettes if he ever wants to be a legitimate champion." Via @arielhelwani

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 7, 2026

Covington exposes Prates' biggest weakness against Makhachev

Covington was direct in his analysis, describing Carlos Prates as just a straight striker with no clear path to trouble Makhachev's well-rounded game. He forecasts a scenario where Makhachev secures an early takedown and finishes the fight with a submission, specifically naming a Kimura or a head-and-arm choke as presumably ending moves.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, he said, “Nah, no chance, bro. Carlos has nothing for him. He's just a straight striker. That's going to be the easiest fight of Makhachev's career.”

The American also highlighted what he sees as a major flaw in Prates' camp: smoking. Covington added, "We know Carlos can go five rounds. He does get a little tired; it kinda attributes to having a terrible habit of smoking cigarettes. He needs to quit that if he ever wants to be a legitimate champion.”

When asked about undefeated contender Michael Morales, Covington was less certain, noting that Morales has not yet been tested in big, high-level five-round fights. He stated that Morales' takedown defence is still an unknown factor, while he believes Prates' limitations against elite wrestling are already evident.

Prates believes he can expose Makhachev's weaknesses, as Covington warns of a mismatch

Carlos Prates, who ranked No. 2 in the UFC welterweight division. He has escalated into title contention with three straight finishes, including a dominant TKO win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth in May. He has knocked out two former champions in succession and is confident that he can exploit weaknesses in Makhachev's game, particularly in takedown defence and striking exchanges.

Makhachev, meanwhile, most recently defended his welterweight crown with a unanimous-decision win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330, extending his UFC winning streak to 17 fights. With the 2026 calendar largely filled, a Makhachev-Prates title bout is widely expected in early 2027, ideally in January before Ramadan, though nothing is officially confirmed.

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Colby Covington Names Carlos Prates' Biggest Problem Before Potential Islam Makhachev Showdown

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