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Islam Makhachev is accustomed to being in the crosshairs of other contenders.
The Dagestani has slowly been climbing the greatest of all time ladder for over a decade, passing countless icons to become one of the best the sport has ever seen. During that time, he has managed to collect titles in two separate divisions, making a combined five title defenses. That level of success has painted a target on his back, and fighters from both lightweight and welterweight are eager to get their hands on him.
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However, it is Islam Makhachev who is calling the shots. As he waits for his next opponent, Makhachev has identified two of the biggest threats to his title reign, indicating that they could be next in line for a shot at his throne.
“There are some real-deal contenders in this weight class who make me train very hard every day,” Makhachev said. “There are at least two very solid opponents for me: Carlos Prates and [Michael] Morales. So, there’s no time to chill yet.”
Another man who has a compelling argument for being a future UFC welterweight champion is Shavkat Rakhmonov.
‘Nomad’ was on a tear at 170, comfortably beating each of his seven opponents inside the octagon before sustaining a career-altering injury. We are now approaching the two-year mark since Rakhmonov last fought, leaving his future an uncertainty. Despite that, the now-31-year-old recently called out Makhachev, forcing the champion to respond, saying:
“The last time he gave an interview, he was injured with a huge knee pad, and he still wants to fight. I watched his interview, so let me take this chance to say something. He said I should’ve picked him. Picked him and waited for him to recover for 18 months?”
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“Let him rehabilitate, and then he will be one of the contenders. I never said I won’t fight him or things like that. Let him recover and come back.”
With rumors of Carlos Prates being next up for Islam Makhachev, the Russian gave some competitors in his weight class their flowers.
“He’s a very solid opponent,” Makhachev added. “Very exciting. And also a big guy, too. As I said, he and Morales are the two main contenders. Very serious ones.”
Islam Makhachev lists Carlos Prates and Michael Morales as the division’s leading contenders while leaving the door open for a future fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov once the injured welterweight returns.
“Prates and Morales are two very serious contenders. Prates is a very solid… pic.twitter.com/iykrVy4OSJ
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— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 10, 2026
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This story was originally published September 11, 2026 at 6:30 AM.