Inside the UFC clash

Ahead of UFC Perth headliner, Carlos Prates was asked about Ilia Topuria moving up to welterweight to fight for a third title. UFC has emerged this Saturday as one of the stories drawing attention in Thailand.

Key facts

• Ahead of UFC Perth headliner, Carlos Prates was asked about Ilia Topuria moving up to welterweight to fight for a third title.
• Carlos Prates wants title shot and nothing else with UFC Perth win.
• After knocking out Leon Edwards in his most recent bout at UFC 322 this past November, “The Nightmare” feels getting back-to-back victories over former world titleholders should put him over the top to fight for the UFC welterweight championship next.
• The most intriguing name in the 170-pound title conversation is a man who has never competed in the division in the UFC: current lightweight champion and former 145-pound titleholder Ilia Topuria.
• “El Matador” is set to defend his title for the first time against interim champ Justin Gaethje in the main event of the UFC White House card in June.

What we know

Going deeper, Carlos Prates wants title shot and nothing else with UFC Perth win.

On the substance, after knocking out Leon Edwards in his most recent bout at UFC 322 this past November, “The Nightmare” feels getting back-to-back victories over former world titleholders should put him over the top to fight for the UFC welterweight championship next.

Beyond the headlines, the most intriguing name in the 170-pound title conversation is a man who has never competed in the division in the UFC: current lightweight champion and former 145-pound titleholder Ilia Topuria.

More precisely, there are 13 fights on the docket and 10 are expected to end inside the distance, according to oddsmakers.

It is worth noting that Prates faces Della Maddalena in the main event of this weekend’s UFC Perth event.

By the numbers

“OK, so then I go to the lightweights, I’m going to fight to the lightweight belt,” Prates said. “I can do 155.

On a related note, Normally I have 85 kg, 84, so I can do lightweight.

What they're saying

“El Matador” is set to defend his title for the first time against interim champ Justin Gaethje in the main event of the UFC White House card in June.

“The title shot [is next],” Prates told MMA Fighting. “Because I’m going to beat two former champs in a row, you know?

The wider context

On a related note, Another name that has been calling for a title shot is former champion Kamaru Usman following his lopsided decision win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta a little less than a year ago.

Going deeper, Carlos Prates is laser-focused on Saturday’s big fight against Jack Della Maddalena, but if he wins, there’s only one thing in his eyes that makes sense.

On the substance, You have Morales, but he didn’t [beat] any former champ.

Beyond the headlines, You have Ian [Machado Garry], he’s going to fight now against Makhachev.

More precisely, the welterweight division is quite interesting at the moment with Islam Makhachev still waiting for his title defense to be announced, with Morales and Garry at the top of the contender list.

The bottom line

• After knocking out Leon Edwards in his most recent bout at UFC 322 this past November, “The Nightmare” feels getting back-to-back victories over former world titleholders should put him over the top to fight for the UFC welterweight championship next.
• The most intriguing name in the 170-pound title conversation is a man who has never competed in the division in the UFC: current lightweight champion and former 145-pound titleholder Ilia Topuria.
• There are 13 fights on the docket and 10 are expected to end inside the distance, according to oddsmakers.