Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales? Fans theorize about a UFC fight after the Fighting Nerds smoker's training session.

Carlos Prates and Michael Morales are standouts in the UFC welterweight division. Photo: SUPER LUTAS montage

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Carlos Prates may be set up to face Michael Morales in the UFC octagon. After rumors pointed to Ian Garry as Islam Makhachev 's first challenger in the welterweight division (up to 77kg), the South American prospects may be on a collision course to determine who is next in line, at least that's what some fans believe.

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Although he challenged Jack Della Maddalena , a southpaw striking specialist, Carlos Prates appeared in Instagram stories in a sparring session where he defended takedowns, applied blitzes, and faced right-handed opponents, characteristics similar to those of Michael Morales . After the videos were posted, fans began to theorize that the 'smoker' may be preparing to share the octagon with the 'Ecuadorian Spiderman'.

Will we see Carlos Prates against Michael Morales?

Based on recent interactions, I was certain that the Smoker would face Jack Della Madalena.

But today he posted this sparring story and the combination of no left-handed partner + defending takedowns made me scratch my head pic.twitter.com/6Rwk78Xxmv

— Showtime✍🏾 (@reisxgabriel) February 18, 2026

Check out the fan theories about Carlos Prates' next opponent in the UFC.

Besides defending takedowns, he seems to be strategizing against the blitzes that Morales throws while standing; the sparring partner has a similar physique.

— Caio Alandia (@AlandiaCaio) February 18, 2026

It was the right thing to do:

Islam vs. Ian

Morales vs. Prates

If Islam wins, he faces the winner of the other fight; if he loses, he has a rematch against Ian.

— Junior Oliveira (@Jun1nh0_2020) February 19, 2026

Morales is going to get knocked out; his striking is far inferior to Prates'. His only option is to take him to the ground.

— K (@Costa199999) February 19, 2026

Carlos Prates wants to face Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC.

After rumors pointed to a fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry , Carlos Prates moved on and began targeting Jack Della Maddalena as his next opponent. Through social media, the smoker suggested a fight against the Australian in the main event of UFC Perth , scheduled for April.

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