Colby Covington says Carlos Prates is an “easiest fight” for Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev’s next UFC title defense is expected to come against Carlos Prates, and Colby Covington is already arguing that the matchup favors the champion in a way that could simplify the work. In comments relayed by Yahoo Sports on Oct. 8, Covington characterized Prates as a difficult striker but suggested the grappling gap will decide the fight, framing it as the “easiest fight” of Makhachev’s career.

Makhachev enters the bout plan, as described in the report, carrying a record of 29-1 in MMA and 18-1 in UFC competition. The same report characterizes him as a champion positioned for another belt defense, with the emphasis not only on his overall résumé but also on the specific threat he represents when opponents have to solve the question of whether they can get and keep their offense.

Prates, for his part, arrives with momentum that Covington is not dismissing, but the champion’s teammate-and-parasite style advantage, in Covington’s view, is rooted in what Prates has shown against elite pressure. The report notes Prates is 24-7 in MMA and 7-1 in UFC, and it points to his most recent rise in credibility after a dominant finish of former champion Jack Della Maddalena in May.

Covington’s argument, as reported, rests on a matchup between Prates’ striking strengths and what he calls a vulnerability in Prates’ grappling. While the report describes Prates’ precise striking and power as having created problems for opponents, Covington’s position is that those qualities can be blunted if the fight shifts to the champion’s territory. He specifically pointed to “the hole in his grappling” as something Makhachev is likely to expose.

That line of reasoning fits how UFC title fights are often evaluated at the highest level: not just who has more tools, but who can force the opponent to play a smaller game. If Makhachev can dictate grappling exchanges, the fight becomes less about whether Prates can land, and more about whether Prates can prevent positions, recover from takedown attempts, and control the pace when the canvas takes over.

Still, Prates’ recent performance is part of why the conversation is not settled before the opening bell. The report’s mention of his May finish of Della Maddalena underscores that Prates has shown the ability to turn striking into fight-ending leverage, even against opponents who were former champions. In UFC terms, that means his threat is not hypothetical, even if Covington believes it is addressable by Makhachev’s skill set.

With Makhachev and Prates now at the center of the title picture, the practical question becomes how quickly the fight answers the stylistic debate. If the early exchanges stay standing long enough for Prates to set rhythms, his striking could reshape the champion’s risk calculus. If the fight tilts toward grappling without Prates controlling the transitions, Covington’s thesis suggests the champion’s path will narrow.

For fans, the key watch points are how Prates handles early takedown pressure, whether he can defend entries and recover to striking range, and whether Makhachev can win exchanges on the mat without needing to rush. For the title stakes, that is the difference between a heavyweight-like chess match and a cleaner title defense narrative, which Covington believes could land in Makhachev’s favor.