Published 47 days ago
Prates and Makhachev clash in a fight where grappling will reign supreme
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Carlos Prates, despite his 24 wins, could struggle against Islam Makhachev, a grappling specialist with 11 submissions to his name. Makhachev, undefeated since 2019, has submitted 7 of his last 10 opponents. Michael Morales, undefeated in 19 fights, remains a mystery to Makhachev, which could unsettle the champion.
To remember:
- Carlos Prates, despite his 24 wins, lacks experience against grappling specialists like Islam Makhachev.
- Makhachev, undefeated since 2019, has submitted 7 of his last 10 opponents, a statistic that raises concerns ahead of the fight.
- Michael Morales, undefeated in 19 fights, remains a mystery to Makhachev, which could unsettle the champion.
A Clash with Major Technical Stakes
The fight between Carlos Prates and Islam Makhachev is shaping up to be a technical showdown where grappling will be decisive. Prates, despite a 24-win record, has never faced a grappling specialist of this caliber. Makhachev, the lightweight champion and undefeated since 2019, has submitted 7 of his last 10 opponents. A statistic that highlights his ground game expertise, an area where Prates could struggle.
Sean Brady, MMA analyst, points out that fighters from ONE FC have already dominated Prates on the ground, a scenario that could repeat itself. Makhachev, a grappling menace with 11 submissions to his name, could exploit this weakness. Prates, despite his 15 KOs, has never had to face a wrestler of this level in competition.
Michael Morales: The Wild Card?
Unlike Prates, Michael Morales remains a mystery to observers. His grappling and endurance have never been thoroughly tested in the UFC. Brady believes this uncertainty could unsettle Makhachev, who is used to anticipating his opponents' patterns. Morales, undefeated in 19 fights, could thus provide unexpected resistance.
If Morales manages to impose his ground game, Makhachev could find himself in uncharted territory. A scenario that adds an unpredictable dimension to this already highly anticipated fight.