Islam Makhachev may not have faced the kind of striking that will await him against Carlos Prates.

While unconfirmed, the UFC welterweight champion’s second title defense is expected to come against the Brazilian in early 2027.

After Makhachev defeated Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in August, Prates was quickly pointed to as the likely next in line by all parties.

As fans await the official booking, the champ’s coach recently highlighted one aspect of the potential challenger’s game that they will need to watch out for.

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Coach Javier Mendez highlights Carlos Prates’ knees as a threat to Islam Makhachev

After missing out on the chance to challenge Makhachev in his first defense, Prates knocked out Jack Della Maddalena in May to seemingly edge past undefeated contender Michael Morales in the pecking order.

The Brazilian did plenty of damage against the Australian with his renowned knee strikes in Perth, and that’s one weapon that Makhachev’s team knows they’ll need to be wary of.

Coach Javier Mendez highlighted that strike when assessing his fighter’s likely next challenge as the UFC’s welterweight king.

“The knees in range,” Mendez said when asked about Prates’ most dangerous weapon during a recent interview with MMA Junkie.

“He uses his range extremely well. Very good range — and explosive, very explosive.

“Prates is a beast. No way in heck we can underestimate him. No way in heck Islam will underestimate anybody,” he added.

The American Kickboxing Academy founder is well aware of the dangers posed by the Brazilian welterweight.

Mendez picked Prates as Makhachev’s biggest threat if he got through UFC 330 with the title still in his possession this past August.

Prates himself evidently feels the same way, having recently warned the champ that he is “wrestling’s worst nightmare” in a video posted on social media.