Rumors link Islam Makhachev to a welterweight title defense against Ian Garry this summer, with Carlos Prates expecting a title shot against the winner. Prates acknowledges that if Makhachev wins, inactivity could follow because Makhachev fights infrequently, while a Garry win might normally lead to an immediate rematch. Prates believes the UFC will not follow that pattern and says he spoke with UFC leadership after his fight, without sharing details. He states he will be next no matter who wins. Prates also believes Garry has the skills to upset Makhachev and wants Garry to win so a belt rematch can happen.
""I don't think they're gonna do a rematch if Makhachev loses," Prates said on "The Ariel Helwani Show." "I talked with Dana and the UFC after my fight. We talked [about] some things I cannot say. But I really think I will be the next. No matter who gets the win between Islam and Ian Garry, I will be the next.""
""The favorite is Makhachev, and I think he's gonna win," Prates said. "But I really think Ian has some skills to beat Islam. He can beat Islam. He has a real chance to beat Islam. I want him to win, and then we can do a rematch for the belt. It would be amazing.""
"Rumors suggest that Islam Makhachev will put his welterweight title on the line against Ian Garry this summer. Prates is confident that he will get a title shot against the winner of that fight. However, it could mean a long period of inactivity for Prates if Makhachev wins, as the Dagestani champion doesn't fight very often. Meanwhile, a win for Garry should ideally lead to an immediate rematch for Makhachev."
Read at Sherdog
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