SILVA Says PRATES Will CATCH MAKHACHEV With A BIG SHOT

Jean Silva backs his Fighting Nerds teammate Carlos Prates to finish Islam Makhachev, in a welterweight title fight that is rumored but not yet official.

"I doubt he can go five rounds without taking a big shot."

Jean Silva said that to MMA Fighting. He was talking about Islam Makhachev lasting five rounds with Carlos Prates.

Silva and Prates train together with the Fighting Nerds. Silva made clear this is loyalty with a game plan behind it, not blind hype.

A Fight That Is Not Official Yet

This title fight has not been made official. It is the popular rumored next step, and reports in this run gave no UFC announcement.

Makhachev has asked to fight before Ramadan. Prates is also his stated preference for his next welterweight title defense.

That matters. This is a champion picking a dangerous puncher, not a contender begging for a shot he may never get.

Why Silva Believes It

Silva pointed to Makhachev trading with Ian Machado Garry. His point was simple: Garry does not hit like Prates hits.

If Makhachev stands in range, Silva thinks one clean hand ends the argument. Prates only needs one moment in twenty-five minutes.

"I doubt he can go five rounds without taking a big shot."

— Jean Silva, to MMA Fighting

The Prates Record Behind The Talk

Prates is 24-7, with 19 wins by knockout or TKO. That finishing rate is the whole case for the upset.

He has gone 14-1 in his last 15 fights. His lone loss in that run was to Garry, and he nearly finished Garry late.

Silva also credited hard work and film study. The Fighting Nerds plan fights in detail, and Prates is their next title hope.

So if this rumored fight gets signed, does Makhachev wrestle early and kill the danger — or does Prates land the one shot Silva promises?