The welterweight division is in a state of chaos, and the dust hasn't even settled from the UFC Perth main event. While the headliner delivered drama, the 170-pound title picture remains a tangled mess of contenders all vying for the next shot. In an effort to stand out from the crowd, Carlos Prates put on a clinic, dismantling former champion Jack Della Maddalena with a brutal third-round finish. "The Nightmare" dropped the Aussie once in the second round and twice in the third, capping off a lopsided beatdown where he outlanded his opponent 46 to 1 in the final frame. Prates wants nothing less than a championship fight, but he might have to wait in line.

Rumors are swirling—some started by Prates himself—that Ian Garry could leapfrog the pack and challenge for the belt at UFC 330 in August. Other names in the mix include undefeated Michael Morales, streaking Sean Brady, and even Ilia Topuria, if he gets past Justin Gaethje in June. Former champion Kamaru Usman has also been floated as a potential opponent. Morales, who sits at a perfect 19-0, seemed to accept that Garry might be ahead of him in the queue. Taking to Instagram Stories on Sunday, the Ecuadorian posted a composite image of himself facing Prates, hinting at a potential title eliminator.

Not everyone is sold on that matchup—especially Prates himself. Speaking at the UFC Perth post-fight press conference, the Brazilian admitted that when he's not preparing for a fight, he likes to let loose and party for a few months. His team wishes he'd change his approach, but it means short turnarounds are largely off the table. Prates made it clear he'd rather wait for a championship opportunity than face Morales, even if it means sitting on the sidelines. With Garry potentially fighting for the belt in August, the next welterweight title fight might not happen until late 2026 or even early 2027. For now, the logjam continues—and every contender is looking for a way to break through.