Charles
Oliveira believes Carlos
Prates has the tools to dethrone
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight titleholder
Islam
Makhachev.
Prates is expected to challenge for the 170-pound championship next
year. Oliveira, who has fought Makhachev, believes Prates’ knockout
power and openings exposed by Ian Garry
bode well for “The Nightmare.”
Charles Oliveira believes Carlos Prates can exploit Islam
Makhachev’s openings with kicks and knockout power
Makhachev went the distance against Garry in his first welterweight
title defense, with the Irishman enjoying moments of success
against the Russian. Oliveira, who trains alongside Garry, believes
Prates can capitalize on vulnerabilities revealed during the
champion’s last fight.
“I think Garry showed Prates the blueprint,” Oliveira told Sherdog.
“I usually say these matchups will be close, but this time, I
believe Prates has a real chance to win. Beyond being a sniper, he
possesses knockout power and is a black belt in jiu-jitsu. If he
lands those kicks to the ribs and calves, just like Garry did, he
could catch the champion off guard. If Islam doesn’t secure a
finish in the first or second round and Prates maintains the
composure he’s shown in his recent fights, he has everything he
needs to win.”
Prates (24-7) has finished all seven of his UFC victories.
Meanwhile, Makhachev (29-1) has defended his welterweight
championship once since moving up from lightweight.