The lightweight and welterweight categories in UFC are facing a state of metamorphosis at the moment. The scenario in these two weight classes might change drastically in the coming months. Islam Makhachev sits atop the lightweight throne while his friend Belal Muhammad reigns over the welterweight division. But many sharks are waiting in the waters, ready to take their place. One of those them is Carlos Prates. On February 10, 2024, ‘The Nightmare’ first went inside the Octagon as a UFC athlete. Since then, he stamped his name in the welterweight division with 4 back-to-back wins, all of them by KO/TKO.

“Sometimes I look back at how fast things have been happening for me and I’m like: ‘Is that even real?'” The Brazilian cigarette-smoking wrecking machine told UFC.com. Well, this fast-paced race to the title might just be a short one due to how he is winning all his fights in the promotion. His next fight is against Ian Machado Garry. Beating ‘The Future’ would mean securing the #7 position in the rankings—much closer to the title. From there, two or three fights with the right matchups, proper marketing, and of course, spectacular finishes; could get him the title shot.

But will Belal Muhammad still be champion (or in the division) by then? That remains to be seen until the end of UFC 315.

Meanwhile, Carlos Prates riled up none other than the welterweight champ. How? By counting out his skill level, that too, while comparing him to the lightweight champ. In terms of difficulty and skill level, Prates put Makhachev above Muhammad—and the welterweight champ didn’t like it one bit, it looks like.

Imagining a matchup between himself and the Dagestani champion with MMA Today, he said, “It’s gonna be tough, it’s gonna be a hard fight because Islam is much better than Belal Muhammad. It’s much harder to beat Islam Makhachev than Belal. But when I fight for the belt, I don’t care who’s the champ — I’m gonna beat him and become welterweight champion.”

Quick to retort, ‘Remember the Name’ wrote, “I would take this nerdy lunch money.”, in reply. Witty, considering Muhammad also goes by the moniker ‘Bully B’.

Now, Prates’ dream of fighting Islam Makhachev isn’t an impossibility. Why?—because of the likelihood that Belal Muhammad could lose his title to Jack Della Maddalena. If that’s the case, Makhachev wouldn’t think twice before moving up. So by the time Prates gets to the title shot, Makhachev could just be the welterweight champ. But all that depends on Muhammad’s performance in his first title defense. Will he lose at UFC 315, and is Islam Makhachev keeping a close eye?

Islam Makhachev gets a silver lining about his dual-weight dreams

Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena is about to happen at UFC 315, and this is going to be the Palestinian-American’s first title defense. Now, the thing is, if anyone else were presiding over the title, the Dagestani champ would not think twice before fighting them. But since his comrade is on top at welterweight, this makes things complicated.

But wait, if by chance Muhammad loses his belt and let’s assume his UFC 315 opponent wins, then that opens up a window for Makhachev to move up to welterweight without a second thought, right?  So will Makhachev prioritize his own goals or wish well for Muhammad? Of course, Makhachev would like to see his brother-in-arms succeed, but then his opportunity to challenge for the title diminishes. On the flip side, ‘JDM’ foresees himself fighting Makhachev.

Maddalena spoke on The Grin Reaper podcast and talked about his dream of beating ‘Remember the Name’ and fighting Makhachev, not just for the title—but also to exact revenge on Makhachev for knocking out his fellow countryman, Alexander Volkanovski. He said, “Yeah, that would be nice. Yes, that would be a great story like, Volk’s revenge. Anything is possible. Get through Belal and the opportunities will present themselves”.

However, ‘JDM’ has to first cross the hurdle that ‘Remember the Name’ presents at UFC 315. On top of that, now we have Carlos Prates closing in like a bloodhound. What do you think will happen? Will Prates end up facing either Belal Muhammad or Islam Makhachev in his career? Let us know in the comments.