Carlos Prates has given his two cents on why top contender Ian Machado Garry deserves to fight for the UFC welterweight title next over him.

Garry, who is riding a two-fight win streak, last fought Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar and won by unanimous decision. After that, he called out champion Islam Makhachev. "The Future" also went to Georgia to find southpaw wrestlers who can help him beat Makhachev, and in August, he is expected to lock horns with the Dagestani wrestling maestro.

Meanwhile, Prates has knocked out three opponents back-to-back, of whom two are former UFC champions. The Brazilian is now the No. 2-ranked welterweight contender and believes that after the potential Garry vs. Makhachev title bout, he will fight the winner.

Prates Willing to Be Backup

During a recent appearance on Daniel Cormier's YouTube channel, Cormier asked whether Prates would be open to serving as the backup or replacement fighter for the rumored title clash between Makhachev and Garry. The knockout artist seemingly expressed his willingness.

"No, I can do this. I can do this," Prates said.

Furthermore, Prates emphasized that he has heard that Makhachev is first going to fight Garry, and then he is going to fight the winner of that matchup for the welterweight title.

Prates on Why Garry Got the Nod

On Pound 4 Pound, explaining why the UFC will choose Garry over him to be Makhachev's next opponent, "The Nightmare" explained that the Irishman has taken two fights on short notice.

In 2024, Garry locked horns with Shavkat Rakhmonov on short notice, and in 2025, he took another last-minute bout against Prates and won by unanimous decision, handing the Brazilian his first UFC loss. Prates believes Garry's short-notice risk-taking habits have impressed the UFC brass, and that is the sole reason he will get the next title shot.

"I fought Geoff Neal, I fought Leon Edwards, and I fought JDM. I knocked out three guys, two former champs," Prates said. "If we look at the last three fights of Ian, he lost to Shavkat, and he beat two guys. Me by points, and also Belal Muhammad by points. He got two fights on short notice. Me and Shavkat. I think it's probably the way the UFC sees it. You got your fights, and now we are going to help you. He was a top contender. He didn't need to fight me on short notice. Yet he agreed to fight me."

Prates on Makhachev's Comments

Prates was also asked about Makhachev's recent comments about a possible matchup against him. Prates responded that he believes Makhachev views him as an easier fight than Garry.

"Bro, I think he say that just because he thinks that I'm an easier fight than Ian Garry," Prates said.

Upon being asked why he would say that about Makhachev, the Brazilian fighter explained, "I don't know. Because maybe beat me. And, like I said, Leon Edwards took me down. JDM took me down. Ian Garry took me down one time. Maybe he thinks it's going to be easy. But when I fought these guys, I didn't care about takedowns."

Prates on Facing Makhachev's Grappling

"The Nightmare" opined that his aforementioned opponents knew that he is a BJJ black belt, adding that they probably were not looking to finish him on the ground but simply wanted to hold him there. Prates implied that he would be more proactive in defending takedowns and grappling against grappling savant Makhachev.

"Makhachev is really good on grappling, really good," the 32-year-old said. "But until now, everybody who took me down, I got up. He's not from another planet. He's human, like us."