UFC Welterweight Standings: Prates and Garry Close In on Makhachev's 170-Pound Crown

The UFC welterweight division has reached a historic boiling point in the summer of 2026, transforming into the most compelling weight class in mixed martial arts. At the top of the mountain sits Islam Makhachev, the pound-for-pound king who captured the 170-pound crown from Jack Della Maddalena late last year to cement his status as a rare two-division champion. But as the second half of the year begins, the race to dethrone the Dagestani powerhouse has narrowed to a high-stakes, two-horse sprint between undefeated-in-the-octagon Irish star Ian Machado Garry and surging Brazilian knockout artist Carlos Prates. The collision course between these three men has captivated the combat sports world.[1]

The immediate future of the 170-pound landscape will be decided on August 15, when Makhachev makes his highly anticipated first welterweight title defense against Machado Garry. The blockbuster matchup will serve as the main event of UFC 330, taking place at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The official booking follows months of tense negotiations, shifting timelines, and public campaigning from both camps, finally setting the stage for a classic striker-versus-grappler showdown. For Makhachev, it represents an opportunity to solidify his double-champion legacy against a younger, faster generation of welterweights who have been actively clearing out the division's old guard.[4]

Machado Garry, boasting a stellar 17-1 professional record, has been exceptionally vocal about his desire to test himself against the sport's ultimate boogeyman. During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, the Irish contender expressed his frustration over the champion's perceived inactivity but emphasized that a victory over Makhachev is the only outcome that matters for his legacy. "To be the best, you have to beat the best," Machado Garry stated, noting that defeating the pound-for-pound number one fighter on the planet would make his championship reign completely undeniable. He has promised to bring a higher level of activity to the division if he successfully captures the belt in Philadelphia.[5]

While Machado Garry prepares for his August title shot, Carlos Prates has violently kicked down the door to become the division's undeniable next-in-line. Currently sitting at the very top of the contender rankings, the Brazilian sniper is coming off a spectacular third-round technical knockout over former champion Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Fight Night Perth in early May. Fighting in Della Maddalena's own backyard, Prates delivered a striking masterclass, systematically dismantling the hometown favorite before forcing a referee stoppage. The performance sent shockwaves through the rankings and immediately inserted Prates into the championship conversation.[1]

That landmark victory in Australia marked Prates' fourth consecutive UFC knockout and his second finish over a former welterweight champion, having previously stopped Leon Edwards in devastating fashion. Prates utilized a terrifying arsenal of heavy leg kicks, slicing elbows, and precise punches to wear down Della Maddalena, a performance that drew immediate praise from across the global MMA community. Analysts noted that Prates managed to make a former world champion look entirely outmatched on the feet, showcasing a level of patient, clinical striking that makes him a unique threat to anyone holding the 170-pound strap.[1]

Even the reigning champion took notice of the Brazilian's star-making performance. Following the Perth event, Makhachev took to social media to publicly congratulate Prates, jokingly tweeting, "Good job Nutella cake"—a humorous reference to the Brazilian's viral fight-week diet of Nutella pancakes. Prates fully leaned into the online banter, sharing videos of himself eating the chocolate dessert while wearing a traditional Dagestani papakha hat. The lighthearted exchange quickly went viral, laying the promotional groundwork for a massive future title clash between the two distinct personalities.[1]

Prates has made it abundantly clear that he expects to face the winner of the UFC 330 main event, refusing to entertain any other matchups in the interim. He has even offered to serve as the official backup fighter in Philadelphia, ready to step in on short notice should either Makhachev or Machado Garry withdraw due to injury. "I should be next," Prates told reporters, pointing to his unprecedented run of highlight-reel finishes against the division's absolute elite as proof that he has outgrown standard contender fights.[2]

The stylistic dynamics of this three-way championship race present fascinating questions for MMA analysts and fans alike. Makhachev's suffocating sambo pedigree and relentless chain-wrestling have historically neutralized the sport's most elite strikers, as evidenced by his dominant, takedown-heavy title-winning performance over Della Maddalena. However, both Machado Garry and Prates possess significant size and reach advantages at 170 pounds. Prates, standing six feet tall with an 80-inch reach, hopes his physical dimensions and one-punch knockout power will be enough to keep the grappling-heavy champion at the end of his punches.[1]

Interestingly, Prates recently suggested that Makhachev might actually prefer fighting him over Machado Garry, theorizing that the Dagestani champion views him as an "easier fight" due to his perceived grappling vulnerabilities. "Leon Edwards took me down, JDM took me down," Prates admitted in a candid recent interview, acknowledging the holes in his wrestling defense. However, he quickly added a crucial caveat for anyone doubting his championship mettle: "But until now, everybody who took me down, I got up. He's human, like us."[2]

As the countdown to UFC 330 accelerates, the welterweight standings reflect a division that has been completely revitalized by fresh blood. With rising undefeated prospects like Michael Morales and established finishing threats like Gabriel Bonfim lurking just behind the top three, the 170-pound weight class is deeper than it has been in years. Whoever emerges victorious from the Makhachev-Garry-Prates triangle will face a relentless gauntlet of elite challengers heading into 2027, ensuring that the welterweight crown remains one of the hardest titles to hold in all of combat sports.