Makhachev Coach Mendez Calls Prates the Most Dangerous Welterweight Striker

Javier Mendez is not taking Carlos Prates lightly. Islam Makhachev's head coach told MMA Junkie from Dubai that the Brazilian welterweight is the most precise striker in the 170-pound division and one of the toughest challenges his fighter has ever faced.

"His precision striking, he has to be the most explosive, pin-point accuracy out of all the welterweights, in my opinion," Mendez said. "His striking is superb, and his confidence is rising."

Prates has torn through the welterweight ranks over the past year, with his performance against Jack Della Maddalena drawing particular attention. Mendez praised the Brazilian's range management, explosive knees and jiu-jitsu, comparing his cigarette-smoking swagger to old-school boxer Ricardo Mayorga.

The one area Mendez flagged as a potential opening is wrestling. He called it Prates' least developed skill, though he stopped short of calling it a true weakness. Sean Brady, speaking separately, pointed to older footage of opponents taking Prates down and controlling him on the ground as a more established route for Makhachev.

A welterweight title fight between Makhachev and Prates could land as early as January, per reports, potentially headlining the UFC's first numbered card of 2027. Mendez said the fight has not been formally confirmed and that Makhachev wants to compete before Ramadan.

Mendez placed Prates among the four toughest matchups of Makhachev's career and said the coaching staff will build a complete game plan rather than leaning solely on takedowns. Tactics will be decided once camp begins.