Pratest (24-7) is currently considered the next top seed
Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title fight against Makhachov (29-1). Covington predicts that the Brazilian would be the easiest opponent of Makhachov’s career.
Covington predicts that Islam Makhatchov will present Carlos Prates, questions the experience of Michael Morales
According to Covington, Makhatchov would have no trouble taking down and subduing Prates.
“Carlos has nothing for him,” Covington told Ariel Helwan. “He’s just a straight forward. This is going to be the easiest fight of Makhachev’s career. I think (Makhachov) will take him down and beat him with a kimura or a head and arm choke.”
Undefeated at welterweight Michael Morales is another leading contender at 170 lbs. Covington isn’t sure how Morales would fare against Makhachev, noting that the Ecuadorian has had little chance to showcase his fighting skills in his last three bouts, all of which ended in first-round knockouts.
“We had to see how his (Morales) takedown defense was,” Covington added. “We haven’t seen him in any big fights, high-level five-round fights, so we don’t know what to expect from him. … I think he’s unproven and the guy has a lot to show.”
Pratest and Makhachov have been linked with a potential title fight early next year, before the start of Ramadan. Meanwhile, Morales recently teased the announcement of an upcoming fight ahead of the co-undefeated welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov hinted at a potential meeting with the Ecuadorian. Both fighters hold 19-0 records.
Colby Covington says Carlos Prates he doesn’t mind a “chance”. Islam Makhachov and calls it the easiest fight of Makhachov’s career: “Carlos has nothing going for him. He’s just a straight forward. This will be the easiest fight of Makhachov’s career. I think he’ll take him down and submit him like a Kimura or a head-to-head grapple.” Colby is less sure Michael Morales: “We’ll have to see how his takedown defense is. We haven’t seen him in any big fights, high-level five-round fights, so we don’t know what to expect from him.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
October 7, 2026
