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Tag: Carlos Prates

  • Carlos Prates Says Something Happened In His UFC Meeting After Perth That Makes Him Very Confident About What’s Next

    Carlos Prates Says Something Happened In His UFC Meeting After Perth That Makes Him Very Confident About What’s Next

    Carlos Prates says he has spoken with the UFC after his knockout of Jack Della Maddalena and believes he will be the next welterweight title challenger, regardless of whether Islam Makhachev or Ian Machado Garry holds the belt.

    Speaking to Yahoo Sports, Prates was direct about what he expects to happen next.

    “I think Ian’s gonna fight Makhachev, and I’m going to fight the winner. I talked with them, with the UFC after my fight. Of course, we talked some things I cannot say, but I really think I will be the next. It doesn’t matter who gets the win between Islam and Ian Garry, I will be the next.”

    Prates has gone seven wins, seven stoppages, and seven Performance of the Night bonuses in eight UFC appearances. His third-round knockout of Della Maddalena at UFC Perth earlier this month was his third consecutive finish and made a title shot impossible to ignore.

    A Makhachev vs. Garry fight has been rumored but not officially announced, with the August numbered event reported as a possible target. That timeline could leave Prates waiting close to a year before fighting for the belt ā€” a long layoff for a fighter who has competed eight times in two and a half years. He said the wait would not hurt him.

    “It’s good for me. Get my injuries better, train a little bit more, improve, grow up as a fighter. If it’s long to fight for the belt, I will be more well-prepared.”

    On the question of Ilia Topuria potentially jumping to welterweight to fight Makhachev, Prates said he does not see it happening and has a long-term plan if Topuria does want the fight.

    “No. I think he’s going to still fight at 155. I’m thinking about to get the belt and then asking Topuria if he wants to come to 170. Let’s do this. Let’s dance!”

  • Daniel Cormier Says Nobody Would Complain if Carlos Prates Got the Next Welterweight Title Shot

    Daniel Cormier Says Nobody Would Complain if Carlos Prates Got the Next Welterweight Title Shot

    Daniel Cormier watched Carlos Prates dismantle Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth and came away with one conclusion: the Brazilian is ready to fight for a world title right now.

    Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cormier offered a thorough breakdown of what Prates’ third-round stoppage of the former welterweight champion means for the division’s title picture.

    “Carlos Prates has now put himself on the short-list of fighters who could potentially challenge the champion, Islam Makhachev. Before he goes in there with Jack Della Maddalena, that happens when you’ve already got a victory over Leon Edwards, when you already have beaten guys like Geoff Neal and so many others on your way towards a fight with a former champion. He’s on a short list. He’s already close. You beat the former champion in the way that he beat Della Maddalena ā€“ because that was bad. That was bad. Honestly, when I was watching that from afar, I thought to myself ā€” because I’ve never seen Jack just get beat on like that ā€” ‘How does Prates win?’ going into the fight.”

    Cormier also identified a specific lesson in growth from the way Prates handled his main event opportunity compared to his previous stumble on the big stage.

    “That performance told me two things: One, Prates is ready to compete for the UFC championship. Two, Prates learned. The first time Prates did that, against Ian Garry, he froze. He froze. He did not fight well. Not this time, though. I watched him deliver at a level that tells me he’s championship-ready. Dude’s championship-ready. He’s championship-ready right now.”

    He acknowledged the crowded nature of the welterweight division while making clear he would not object to Prates leapfrogging the queue.

    “Here’s the issue though: The weight class is so stacked. It feels like it’s going to be Ian Garry, but if it was to be Prates after that? Nobody would complain. Nobody would complain, and I’ll tell you why: We just saw Islam beat Jack Della Maddalena in the way that he did. We saw him dominate Jack Della Maddalena to win the championship. The way Islam beat Jack was not nearly as impressive as what Carlos Prates did the other day. It was impressive. He made it look easy. But that, yesterday, was crazy. It looked like Della Maddalena didn’t belong in there with Prates.”

  • “Like Prime Anderson Silva” – Prates Dominates Della Maddalena

    “Like Prime Anderson Silva” – Prates Dominates Della Maddalena

    Carlos Prates has made a statement toward earning a welterweight title shot in the near-future, putting a beating on former champion Jack Della Maddalena with a TKO win in the main event of UFC Perth.

    Prates got his striking going from the beginning. Della Maddalena scored a late takedown in the first and blocked a lot of shots, but Prates got plenty of shots through.

    The volume increased in round two, as Prates scored 41 significant strikes in those five minutes, blowing JDM out of the water in that category. Prates avoided an early rear-naked choke attempt from Della Maddalena before working combinations, doing damage to JDM. A left hand rocked the former champ, and a leg kick from Prates wobbled and downed him before the end of round two.

    Prates continued to pressure in round three, battering JDM. Prates scored another knockdown via leg kick, and he didn’t waste time. Prates went to the ground and rained shots down until Carlos Beltran waved off the bout.

    Carlos Prates Puts One-Sided Beating On Jack Della Maddalena At UFC Perth

    Prates is now 23-7 as a pro and 7-1 in the UFC, with his sole loss in the Octagon coming against Ian Machado Garry. Prates has finishes in all of his UFC victories, and he has now scored back-to-back victories over former welterweight champions. Prates knocked out Leon Edwards at UFC 322.

    Della Maddalena has now lost back-to-back fights for the first time since dropping his first two pro bouts. After those two fights, JDM went on an 18-fight win streak, culminating in him defeating Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title at UFC 315. This was JDM’s first fight since losing the title to Islam Makhachev at UFC 322.

  • UFC Perth Results: Della Maddalena vs. Prates Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Perth Results: Della Maddalena vs. Prates Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Perth results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The main event will feature a welterweight bout between Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates – Welterweight Main Event

    After dropping his first two pro bouts, Della Maddalena won 18 straight. This includes his first eight UFC bouts, held between 2022 and 2025, culminating with his win over Belal Muhammad to capture the UFC welterweight championship at UFC 315. This is JDM’s first bout since dropping the title to Islam Makhachev in his first defense at UFC 322.

    Prates is 6-1 since earning a UFC contract, making his UFC debut in 2024. All six of his UFC wins thus far have come by knockout, and his sole loss came against Ian Machado Garry — a bout Prates almost won via a comeback finish. Prates enters this fight off a second-round knockout win over former champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322.

    The co-main event will be a lightweight bout between Beneil Dariush and Quillan Salkilld. Dariush has lost three of his last four, most recently getting knocked out by Benoit Saint-Denis in just 16 seconds at UFC 322. Salkilld is 11-1 professionally, including a 4-0 UFC record. He last fought at UFC 325 in January, submitting Jamie Mullarkey.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC Perth!

    How to Watch UFC Perth

    • Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
    • Venue: Meta Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 4 AM ET / 1 AM PT
    • Main Card: 7 AM ET / 4 AM PT

    UFC Perth Quick Results

    • Main Event: Jack Della Madalena vs. Carlos Prates — Carlos Prates def. Jack Della Maddalena via TKO (Rd. 3, 3:17)
    • Co-Main Event: Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld — Quillan Salkilld def. Beneil Dariush via TKO (Rd. 1, 3:29)
    • Tim Elliott vs. Steve Erceg — Steve Erceg def. Tim Elliott via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
    • Marwan Rahiki vs. Ollie Schmid — Marwan Rahiki def. Ollie Schmid via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:47)
    • Shamil Gaziev vs. Brando Pericic — Brando Pericic def. Shamil Gaziev via KO (Rd. 2, 3:44)
    • Tai Tuivasa vs. Louie Sutherland — Louie Sutherland def. Tai Tuivasa via unanimous decision (30-26 x3)

    UFC Perth Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 4 AM ET)

    Lightweight: Kody Steele vs. Dom Mar Fan

    Result: Kody Steele def. Dom Mar Fan via submission (heel hook) (Rd. 1, 3:56)

    Welterweight: Jonathan Micallef vs. Themba Gorimbo

    Result: Jonathan Micallef def. Themba Gorimbo via split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)

    Middleweight: Wes Schultz vs. Ben Johnston

    Result: Wes Schultz def. Ben Johnston via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 3, 1:50)

    Bantamweight: Colby Thicknesse vs. Vince Morales

    Result: Colby Thicknesse def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Middleweight: Jacob Malkoun vs. Gerald Meerschaert

    Result: Jacob Malkoun def. Gerald Meerschaert via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Light Heavyweight: Junior Tafa vs. Kevin Christian

    Result: Junior Tafa def. Kevin Christian via KO (Rd. 1, 2:42)

    Middleweight: Cam Rowston vs. Robert Bryczek

    Result: Cam Rowston def. Robert Bryczek via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 7 AM ET)

    Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs. Louie Sutherland

    Result: Louie Sutherland def. Tai Tuivasa via unanimous decision (30-26 x3)

    Heavyweight: Shamil Gaziev vs. Brando Pericic

    Result: Brando Pericic def. Shamil Gaziev via KO (Rd. 2, 3:44)

    Featherweight: Marwan Rahiki vs. Ollie Schmid

    Result: Marwan Rahiki def. Ollie Schmid via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:47)

    Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Steve Erceg

    Result: Steve Erceg def. Tim Elliott via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Lightweight: Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld

    Result: Quillan Salkilld def. Beneil Dariush via TKO (Rd. 1, 3:29)

    Welterweight: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates

    Result: Carlos Prates def. Jack Della Maddalena via TKO (Rd. 3, 3:17)

  • Carlos Prates Names His Path to the UFC Welterweight Title

    Carlos Prates Names His Path to the UFC Welterweight Title

    Carlos Prates is walking into UFC Perth with a clear vision of where a win over Jack Della Maddalena will take him, and he is not shy about stating it.

    Speaking with MMA Junkie ahead of the fight, Prates expressed comfort with the setting, noting he already has a performance bonus from the same arena and hopes to earn another.

    “Yeah, it’s gonna be cool, you know? I have good memories in that arena. I have a bonus already there, and I hope to get another one.”

    He also made it clear that he does not expect the fight to go the distance, while emphasizing that he will be ready if it does.

    “I don’t think the fight’s gonna go five rounds, but if it’s there, I’m gonna be ready. I’m ready for everything.”

    Prates then laid out exactly what he believes a win earns him, pointing to his back-to-back victories over former champions Leon Edwards and Jack Della Maddalena as the justification for a mandatory title shot.

    “Nobody gonna beat two former champs in a row, and for sure I will be the next. I mean, I will be the next after August. Islam gonna fight Ian, and then after that, I’m gonna get the winner.”

    Prates’ confidence is built on real momentum. He knocked out Edwards at UFC 322 in November at Madison Square Garden in what was the biggest win of his career, and a victory over Della Maddalena on Saturday would give him consecutive finishes of former champions inside a matter of months.

    Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry are expected to meet for the welterweight title, likely in August. Prates is positioning himself as the next man in line once that fight is settled.

  • Carlos Prates Threatens Conor McGregor After Fight Rumors Flood Social Media: ‘I Would Knock Him Out’

    Carlos Prates Threatens Conor McGregor After Fight Rumors Flood Social Media: ‘I Would Knock Him Out’

    Carlos Prates recently fired shots at Conor McGregor and warned that the former two-division champion would not want the potential fight.

    Prates, the No. 5-ranked welterweight contender with a 6ā€“1 UFC record, stated that he’s open to facing ā€œThe Notoriousā€ after social media rumors claimed he had been offered the fight for the June 14 UFC White House card. However, he questioned the logic of the matchup given McGregorā€™s five-year absence from active competition.

    Despite rumors, “The Nightmare” stated he has not received official communication from the UFC regarding a McGregor fight. He also mentioned former 170-pound champion Jack Della Maddalena as a potential opponent, as he prioritizes fighting for a title shot.

    Carlos Prates Sends Chilling Warning To Conor McGregor

    Carlos Prates recently took to Instagram to address the rumored fight with Conor McGregor, saying the matchup does not make sense right now but warning the Irishman of what would happen if the fight were ever booked.

    ā€œConor McGregor, to be honest, I think the fight is hard to make happen because Conor McGregor has been out for five years,” Prates said. “Heā€™s been retired from MMA, and after five years away, he would not beg to fight against the most entertaining welterweight in the world. Nothing against him, but everybody knows, and I know he knows, that I would hurt him bad. I would knock him out. So I donā€™t think itā€™s the right way to make a comeback for a huge superstar like him.ā€

    “The Nightmare” recently achieved a stunning knockout victory against former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322 in November.

    Meanwhile, McGregor has been inactive since 2021, when he suffered a severe leg injury during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

    “The Notorious” was scheduled to return at UFC 303 in 2024 against Michael Chandler, but withdrew after breaking his toe in training. McGregor recently posted on X that he’s willing to fight a ā€œno-nameā€ opponent for his highly anticipated potential return at UFC White House and asked the promotion to send him a contract.

    Image: @TheNotoriousMMA/X
  • Carlos Prates: ā€œSign this contract, manā€

    Carlos Prates: ā€œSign this contract, manā€

    Carlos Prates has taken to social media to put pressure on an unnamed opponent, posting an Instagram story urging them to sign a fight contract.

    ā€œI was told the offer is on your hands,ā€ Prates wrote. ā€œThe fans are waiting, Iā€™m waitingā€¦ Are we doing this or just playing around? Letā€™s give them the fight of the year. Sign this contract, man.ā€

    https://www.instagram.com/p/DU8ZvWWDeMp/?igsh=OXpsdm04OWo0d2Qx

    While Prates did not name his target, the callout is widely believed to be directed at former UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. The two have been publicly linked since their respective performances at UFC 322 in November, where Prates knocked out Leon Edwards while Della Maddalena lost his title to Islam Makhachev.

    The back-and-forth has been building since December 2025. Della Maddalena accepted the challenge in January, telling streamer N3on he was ā€œinā€ and predicting he would finish Prates in a five-round fight.

    Despite mutual interest, delays have persisted, with reports linking the bout to a potential UFC Fight Night card in Perth on May 3.

    However, the landscape may have shifted. Just yesterday, Fighting Nerds coach Flavio Alvaro told Sherdog that while he personally wanted the Della Maddalena fight, Pratesā€™ next opponent could end up being someone different, with an announcement expected soon.

    The matchup has captured fan interest due to both fightersā€™ elite finishing ability. Prates has scored knockouts in six of his seven UFC bouts, with his only loss being a decision defeat to Ian Machado Garry. Della Maddalena was riding an 18-fight win streak before his title loss to Makhachev and is looking to fight his way back into title contention.

  • Ian Machado Garry reacts to Carlos Prates being ranked above him at welterweight

    Ian Machado Garry reacts to Carlos Prates being ranked above him at welterweight

    UFC star Ian Machado Garry has given his thoughts on Carlos Prates being ranked above him at welterweight.

    This weekend, Ian Machado Garry will battle former UFC champion Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar. If he’s able to pick up the win, and do so convincingly, he could well put himself in position for a shot at the current king Islam Makhachev.

    Islam won the belt by defeating Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 322 last weekend. On the same card, Carlos Prates, who Ian Machado Garry has previously defeated, also secured a big victory – as did Michael Morales.

    With Morales and Prates now both ranked above him, Ian Machado Garry was asked in a recent interview about his feelings towards the rankings.

    Ian Machado Garryā€™s view on Carlos Prates being ranked above him

    “They’re kind of irrelevant in my mind to a certain extent because the guys that won should be above me now,” Machado Garry told MMA Junkie on the UFC welterweight rankings. “I understand that. Prates being above me, silly, but I understand it. He did knock out whatever Leon (Edwards) was in the world, No. 4, whatever it was, and Morales did knock out No. 2 in the world, so they should be there.

    “I think I’ve been like No. 7 for like the last four fights ā€“ it’s ridiculous. They just don’t want to move me up because they know the star power is there, and they’re trying to kind of hone it. I think they’re having a little Conor McGregor (situation): We can’t let this guy disappear. We know what they can do.”

    ā€œCome this weekend, when I knock Belal out, I shall take that No. 1 spot. I’m fighting for the No. 1 contender fight. When I win this weekend, this entire welterweight division revolves around me.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • ‘His Own Head Shot Dead’ – Fans & Fighters React As Carlos Prates Cracks Leon Edwards In Sudden Style At UFC 322

    ‘His Own Head Shot Dead’ – Fans & Fighters React As Carlos Prates Cracks Leon Edwards In Sudden Style At UFC 322

    The momentum of the Fighting Nerds seems to be slowly coming back, as Carlos Prates scores a second straight highlight knockout, finishing former welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322.

    Edwards got the better of Prates in the first round, using his grappling to press Prates against the fence, trading trash talk with Prates in the clinch. Edwards continued to get the better offensively, setting things up to score a takedown during the first and gaining back control.

    But one punches changes everything, and that’s all Prates needed. Prates landed a left straight that broke through Edwards’ guard and connected on the button, dropping Edwards out cold for a second-round finish.

    Carlos Prates Puts Out Leon Edwards At UFC 322

    Prates has scored finishes in all of his wins since December 2021, including all of his victories in the UFC. He’s now won two straight via knockout since his sole blemish in the UFC — losing to Ian Machado Garry earlier this year.

    Edwards has now lost three straight, having been finished now by both Prates and Sean Brady since dropping the UFC welterweight title to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304.

  • Carlos Prates vs. Leon Edwards booked for Major UFC 322 bout

    Carlos Prates vs. Leon Edwards booked for Major UFC 322 bout

    Carlos Prates is still at the nucleus of a lot of discourse from his previous UFC fight earlier this month but the exciting mixed martial artist already has his next octagon assignment locked in. The surging welterweight contender will take on a former kingpin of 170 pounds in Leon Edwards when the two clash in New York at UFC 322. Madison Square Garden on November 15th is when this high stakes contest will take place.

    Prates is on the heels of a highlight reel bolstering, spinning back elbow KO of Geoff Neal at UFC 319 on August 16th. The finish picked up a lot of attention online with Prates now having five wins in his last six fights with four knockout victories through that stretch.

    Conversely for Edwards, he is on a two fight skid and is aiming to preserve his placement in the rankings against the hungry combatant, Prates. ‘Rocky’ dropped his 170 pound crown to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in July 2024 and Edwards also lost via fourth round guillotine choke to Sean Brady in March.

    UFC 322 will be a consequential card for the ranked welterweights in the promotion even beyond Prates vs. Edwards. The event will be headlined by Jack Della Maddalena aiming to defend his belt against former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev who vacated his belt to move up in the pursuit of becoming a two division UFC champion.

    Carlos Prates had called out Michael ‘Venom’ Page for UFC Rio

    Carlos Prates had called for a quick turnaround showdown with MVP when the dust settled on his finish of Geoff Neal in Chicago with Prates wanting a clash with Michael ‘Venom’ Page on that UFC Rio card. Page, who also earned a victory at UFC 319 when he bested former UFC middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier, seemed intrigued by the idea of a Prates fight on his rival’s home soil, October 11th in Brazil.

    It would have also presumably had a lot of intrigue for Page who has complained about matchmaking politics at welterweight and how hard it is to get fights there. Alas, the matchmakers had a different vision for what’s next for both fighters with question marks now popping up about what could be next for MVP.

  • Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev Announced For UFC 322 Main Event, Weili Zhang To Vacate Title And Challenge Valentina Shevchenko In Co-Main Event

    Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev Announced For UFC 322 Main Event, Weili Zhang To Vacate Title And Challenge Valentina Shevchenko In Co-Main Event

    The UFC will be returning to New York’s Madison Square Garden for UFC 322 on November 15, featuring a pair of what could be considered championship superfights to headline the night.

    The main event will see Jack Della Maddalena make his first defense of the UFC welterweight championship, as he faces the challenge of former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

    JDM, an alumnus of Dana White’s Contender Series, has gone unbeaten in professional MMA since dropping his first two fights. His rise up the welterweight ranks ended in successful fashion with a win over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May to claim the UFC’s 170-pound title.

    Makhachev became UFC lightweight champion with a submission of Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. He defended the title four times, defeating Alexander Volkanovski twice, as well as defeating Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano, before vacating the belt — now held by Ilia Topuria — earlier this year.

    Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev, Valentina Shevchenko vs. Weili Zhang Official For UFC 322

    Like the stories of Makhachev and Topuria, Weili Zhang will be vacating her strawweight championship and challenging Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s flyweight title in the UFC 323 co-main event — a battle of the top two-ranked pound-for-pound women’s fighters in the UFC today.

    Shevchenko initially won the women’s flyweight championship at UFC 231, defending the belt seven times before her trilogy with Alexa Grasso that saw her lose and regain the title. Shevchenko defended the belt earlier this year at UFC 315, defeating Manon Fiorot.

    Zhang, a two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion, began her second run with the gold by submitting Carla Esparza at UFC 281, which was also held at Madison Square Garden. She has since successfully defended the title against Amanda Lemos, Yan Xiaonan, and Tatiana Suarez.

    UFC 322 will also feature former welterweight champion Leon Edwards in action against Carlos Prates. Edwards lost to Sean Brady earlier this year in his first fight since dropping the belt to Belal Muhammad. Prates, meanwhile, scored a highlight knockout of Geoff Neal just a couple of weeks ago at UFC 319.

  • “Sounded Like A Golf Ball Getting Hit” – Fighters & Fans React As Carlos Prates Unleashes Destructive Elbow For Walk-Off, Buzzer Beater KO Of Geoff Neal At UFC 319

    “Sounded Like A Golf Ball Getting Hit” – Fighters & Fans React As Carlos Prates Unleashes Destructive Elbow For Walk-Off, Buzzer Beater KO Of Geoff Neal At UFC 319

    Carlos Prates just produced one of the most jaw-dropping knockouts of the year, if not recent MMA history, with his finish of Geoff Neal at UFC 319.

    Neal came out with some aggression, looking to control the pace and come forward with pressure. He executed a few good shots, but focused more on single blows than combination. Prates looked to work over Neal’s legs with kicks. Prates’ pace picked up over the course of the second half of the round.

    And then, right before the horn, Prates pulled off a spinning back elbow that landed on the side of Neal’s head, dropping him out cold.

    Carlos Prates Drops Geoff Neal With KO Of The Year Contender At UFC 319

    Prates has now won five of his six fights in the Octagon since arriving from Dana White’s Contender Series, with all five coming by knockout.

    Neal has now lost three of his last four.

  • Carlos Prates Explains How Smoking Cigarettes Helps His Weight Cut Ahead Of UFC 319 Return

    Carlos Prates Explains How Smoking Cigarettes Helps His Weight Cut Ahead Of UFC 319 Return

    Cigarettes seem to be a constant companion in Carlos Pratesā€™ daily grind.

    Prates is set to make his Octagon return this Saturday, August 16, at UFC 319, where he will face veteran welterweight Geoff Neal at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The bout was originally scheduled for UFC 314 last April, but an injury to “Handz of Steel” forced the fight to be postponed.

    “The Nightmare” is celebrated for his explosive finishes inside the cage. Outside the Octagon, though, heā€™s equally notorious for his hard-living lifestyle, often seen indulging in alcohol and, most notably, as a dedicated chain smoker in his social media posts.

    Despite numerous warnings from his coaches about the health risks, Prates openly admits to smoking daily. Even while actively competing, lighting up before and after fights has become a deeply ingrained ritual he refuses to break.

    Carlos Prates
    Image: UFC.com

    Carlos Prates Claims Smoking Cigarettes Supports His Weight Cut

    During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Carlos Prates was questioned about whether he had cut back on his smoking ahead of his fight with Geoff Neal. The Fighting Nerds standout openly admitted his enduring love for cigarettes, revealing that he still lights up around eight smokes a day.

    ā€œThe Nightmareā€ revealed heā€™s attempted to reduce his smoking, but doing so led to overeating. He ultimately accepted that heā€™d rather light up than risk struggling with weight cuts.

    “Sometimes I start to smoke a little bit less, but it’s hard,” Carlos Prates said. “I get really excited, and I want to eat. I cannot eat pizza all day, so I prefer to smoke rather than have some problem with making weight… I like to smoke before I go to the stadium. We cannot smoke in the locker room. Smoke before, then I go there.”

    Prates last stepped into the Octagon at UFC Kansas City this past April, where his 10-fight knockout streak was snapped by a unanimous decision defeat to Ian Garry. Before experiencing his first UFC loss, ā€œThe Nightmareā€ was riding a four-fight winning streak, featuring dominant finishes over notable opponents like Neil Magny and Li Jingliang.

    Carlos Prates, who secured his UFC contract in August 2023 via Dana White’s Contender Series, boasts a professional record of 21-7, with an impressive 19 victories coming by way of stoppage.

    Image: @thenightmare_170/Instagram

  • UFC 319: Exciting Welterweight Showdown Reportedly In Works

    UFC 319: Exciting Welterweight Showdown Reportedly In Works

    The UFC 319 card could be in for a welterweight barnburner, as the promotion is reportedly working to revive a previously scrapped showdown that had fans buzzing.

    UFC 319 is scheduled to light up the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 16. The ninth pay-per-view event of 2025 will be headlined by reigning UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, who puts his title on the line against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev.

    The MMA promotion has already announced several matchups for the event, including a middleweight showdown between Jared Cannonier and Michael “Venom” Page, along with a lightweight clash featuring seasoned veterans Bobby “King” Green and Diego Ferreira.

    UFC 319 poster

    Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates Targeted For Rebooking At UFC 319

    According to a recent report from MMA journalist Laerte Viana, the UFC is working to rebook a welterweight showdown between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates for the upcoming UFC 319 event.

    The matchup was originally scheduled to take place at UFC 314 this past April, but plans were derailed when Neal was forced to withdraw due to injury, leading to the boutā€™s cancellation. As a result, Prates was rescheduled to headline UFC Kansas City just two weeks later, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Ian Machado Garry.

    ā€œHandz of Steelā€ last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 308 in October 2024, where he scored a first-round knockout over former champion Rafael dos Anjos. The emphatic finish snapped a two-fight skid against Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    Neal, who once rode a five-fight UFC win streak, has struggled to maintain that form, going 3-4 in his last seven Octagon appearances. The 34-year-old holds a 16-6 pro record, with 10 wins by knockout.

    Meanwhile, Prates tasted defeat for the first time in his UFC career in his most recent outing. ā€œThe Nightmareā€ had entered the bout riding a wave of momentum, having scored four consecutive knockout victories over notable names like Neil Magny and Li Jingliang. The 31-year-old Brazilian now holds a career record of 21-7, with 19 of those wins coming by way of finish.

  • Carlos Prates Breaks Silence On First UFC Loss To Ian Garry in Kansas City

    Carlos Prates Breaks Silence On First UFC Loss To Ian Garry in Kansas City

    Carlos Prates is promising to bounce back stronger after tasting defeat for the first time in the UFC.

    Prates collided with Ian Garry in the UFC Kansas City headliner this past Saturday at T-Mobile Center in Missouri. Over five rounds, the Brazilian was largely on the back foot, as Garryā€™s exceptional footwork and high-volume striking kept him guessing and a step behind.

    ā€œThe Nightmareā€ had difficulty establishing his game plan throughout the fight, as he repeatedly faced takedown attempts from the Irishman. It wasnā€™t until the final round that Prates seemed to find a burst of energy, landing some powerful shots, including a vicious ground and pound.

    However, his late push wasnā€™t enough to turn the tide, as Prates couldnā€™t sway the judges, who scored the fight 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, awarding “The Future” the unanimous decision victory.

    Gutted by the defeat, Prates turned to Instagram Stories to concisely share his disappointment about not being able to finish the fight the way he had envisioned.

    “Unfortunately I couldnā€™t end the fight and that wasnā€™t enough. Sorry family, Iā€™ll come back stronger!,” Carlos Prates wrote.

    With his defeat at UFC Kansas City, “The Nightmare” saw his impressive four-fight win streak inside the Octagon come to a halt. Prates’ professional record now stands at 21-7, with 16 of those victories coming by knockout.

    Meanwhile, Garry has rebounded from the first loss of his professional career, which came at the hands of Shavkat Rakhmonov in a title eliminator at UFC 310 this past December. “The Future” has since improved his record to 16-1, including seven knockout wins.

  • ‘Send Fighting Nerds 2-3 Years Dagestan’ – Fans React As Ian Garry Hands Carlos Prates His First UFC Defeat In Kansas City

    ‘Send Fighting Nerds 2-3 Years Dagestan’ – Fans React As Ian Garry Hands Carlos Prates His First UFC Defeat In Kansas City

    After suffering his first career defeat in a short-notice outing, Ian Machado Garry, in another fairly short-planned fight, scored a unanimous decision win over Carlos Prates, potentially rebounding as he seeks a title opportunity.

    Garry started things off with plenty of low kicks, working his range well. While Prates got in a bit of leg kicking late in the round, he slipped in the closing seconds. Garry landed some hard ground-and-pound, though Prates seemed to take it well. Garry and Prates had several exchanges during the second round, but Garry seemed to get the better of Prates again — courtesy of more distance management and combinations, including one involving a kick that caught Prates’s attention.

    Prates seemed to lack urgency, which continued into the third round. Garry landed a combination ending with an uppercut that backed Prates up. Garry would score a takedown not long after, becoming the first fighter to earn one against the Brazilian.

    Garry continued to work his game — at one point having landed more than Prates had thrown in terms of strikes — but Prates began to push things by the end of the fourth. This continued into the fifth, with Prates landing a number of combinations and being the fighter coming forward. Garry tried to tie things up, mixing in striking all the while, but Prates ended up landing on top in a takedown attempt.

    There, Prates landed serious ground-and-pound that did damage. Prates continued to land powerful shots, but not at a pace that it was enough to finish the fight. Garry survived the round and earned a decision.

    Ian Garry Outworks Carlos Prates For Decision Win In UFC Kansas City Headliner

    Garry came into this bout off of his first professional loss at UFC 310, taking a short-notice bout and losing to Shavkat Rakhmonov. Prior to this, the former Cage Warriors welterweight champion had scored victories over the likes of Michael “Venom” Page, Geoff Neal, Neil Magny and Daniel Rodriguez.

    Prates’s previous four UFC fights have all been Performance of the Night bonus earning, scoring knockouts against Magny, Li Jingliang, Charles Radtke and Trevin Giles.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Ian Garry Decisions Carlos Prates

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Ian Garry Decisions Carlos Prates

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!Ā 

    In the main event, welterweights Ian Garry and Carlos Prates clashed. While in the co-main event, Anthony Smith and Zhang Mingyang faced off in a light heavyweight matchup.Ā 

    UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

    • Ian Garry def. Carlos PratesĀ via unanimous decisionĀ (48-47×2, 49-46)
    • Zhang Mingyang def. Anthony Smith via TKO: R1, 4.03
    • David Onama def. Giga Chikadze via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Abus Magomedov def. Michel Pereira via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
    • Randy Brown def. Nicolas Dalby via KO: R2, 1.39
    • Ikram Aliskerov def. Andre Muniz via TKO: R1, 4.54  

    Preliminary Card

    • Matt Schnell def. Jimmy Flick via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Evan Elder def. Gauge Young via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
    • Chris Gutierrez def. John Castaneda via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
    • Daā€™Mon Blackshear def. Alatengheili via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
    • Malcolm Wellmaker def. Cameron Saaiman via KO: R1, 1.59
    • Jacqueline Amorim def. Polyana Viana via submission: R2, 1.49
    • Timothy Cuamba def. Roberto Romero via TKO: R2, 3.55
    • Joselyne Edwards def. Chelsea Chandler via TKO: R1, 2.31

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Joselyne Edwards def. Chelsea Chandler

    Joselyne Edwards earned a first-round TKO of Chelsea Chandler.

    Timothy Cuamba def. Roberto Romero

    Timothy Cuamba got it done with a TKO in the second round.

    Jacqueline Amorim def. Polyana Viana

    Jacqueline Amorim locked in a rear-naked choke to submit Polyana Viana in the second round.

    Malcolm Wellmaker def. Cameron Saaiman

    Malcolm Wellmaker earned a first-round KO of Cameron Saaiman.

    Main Card Highlights

    Ikram Aliskerov def. Andre Muniz

    In this middleweight bout, Ikram Aliskerov stopped Andre Muniz in the first round.

    Randy Brown def. Nicolas Dalby

    In this welterweight bout, Randy Brown stopped Nicolas Dalby in the second round.

    Abus Magomedov def. Michel Pereira

    Abus Magomedov got it done on the scorecards against Michel Pereira.

    David Onama def. Giga Chikadze

    In this featherweight bout, David Onama earned a unanimous decision against Giga Chikadze.

    Zhang Mingyang def. Anthony Smith

    In the co-main event, Zhang Mingyang stopped Anthony Smith in their light heavyweight bout.

    Ian Garry def. Carlos Prates

    In the main event, Ian Garry survived a late onslaught from Carlos Prates to earn a unanimous decision win.

  • UFC Kansas City Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Ian Garry vs. Carlos Prates Card

    UFC Kansas City Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Ian Garry vs. Carlos Prates Card

    UFC Kansas City is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekendā€™s lineup.

    The upcoming event takes place Saturday, April 26, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The main card begins at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be a pair of top 15 welterweight contenders inĀ Ireland’s Ian Garry and charging Fighting Nerds standout Carlos Prates.

    AndĀ also making the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Anthony Smith, Giga Chikadze, Michel Pereira, Randy Brown, and Ikram Aliskerov.

    UFC Kansas City: Garry vs. Prates Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Kansas City (as of 4/21), courtesy ofĀ DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Ian Garry (-130) vs. Carlos Prates (+110)
    • Anthony Smith (+380) vs. Zhang Mingyang (-500)
    • Giga Chikadze (+145) vs. David Onama (-175)
    • Michel Pereira (-155) vs. Abus Magomedov (+130)
    • Randy Brown (-238) vs. Nicolas Dalby (+195)
    • Ikram Aliskerov (-650) vs. Andre Muniz (+470)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Matt Schnell (-278) vs. Jimmy Flick (+225)
    • Evan Elder (-258) vs. Gauge Young (+210)
    • Chris Gutierrez (-130) vs. John Castaneda (+110)
    • Da’Mon Blackshear (-395) vs. Alatengheili (+310)
    • Malcolm Wellmaker (-110) vs. Cameron Saaiman (-110)
    • Jacqueline Amorim (-550) vs. Polyana Viana (+410)
    • Timothy Cuamba (-105) vs. Roberto Romero (-115)
    • Chelsea Chandler (+240) vs. Joselyne Edwards (-298)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo3W91E-M5s
  • Ian Garry Finds Evidence Of ‘Quit’ In Carlos Prates Ahead Of UFC Kansas City Main Event

    Ian Garry Finds Evidence Of ‘Quit’ In Carlos Prates Ahead Of UFC Kansas City Main Event

    Ian Garry’s confidence ahead of UFC Kansas City has only risen after watching one of opponent Carlos Prates’ past losses.

    The promotionā€™s trip to Missouri to stage a UFC Fight Night inside T-Mobile Center on April 26 was originally set to feature a main event between hard-hitting light heavyweights Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree.

    But following speculation of an injury to the former champion,Ā UFC CEO Dana White confirmed at the start of this month that a new matchup will top the lineup.

    The stakes will be similarly high, though, with both Ian Garry and Carlos Prates looking to ascend into the championship conversation at each otherā€™s expense.

    And when it comes to his chances of doing so, the Irishman seemingly got a boost in self-belief after seeing the manner with which Prates once suffered defeat on the regional scene.

    “Here, look at this. This is a video of Carlos Prates and his true fighting spirit,” Ian Garry said. “It’s called being a quitter. He had just been beaten up all the rounds prior, puts his hand up, shakes his head, says, ‘I’m done,’ and then just drops to the ground. … Deep down he knows, he’s not a fighter.”

    While the April 26 headliner marks Garry’s first outing since a narrow defeat to Shavkat Rakhmonov last December, Prates will enter it with his undefeated UFC record still intact, having most recently moved to 4-0 in the Octagon with a knockout of Neil Magny.

  • Ian Garry Reacts To Short-Notice UFC Main Event Against Carlos Prates: ‘I’m A Real Fighter!’

    Ian Garry Reacts To Short-Notice UFC Main Event Against Carlos Prates: ‘I’m A Real Fighter!’

    A late switch-up means UFC welterweight contenders Ian Garry and Carlos Prates will headline in Missouri later this month.

    The promotion’s trip to Kansas City to stage a UFC Fight Night inside T-Mobile Center on April 26 was originally set to feature a main event between hard-hitting light heavyweights Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree.

    But following speculation of an injury to the former champion, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Tuesday that a new matchup will now top the lineup.

    The stakes will be similarly high, however, with both Garry and Prates looking to ascend into the championship conversation at each other’s expense.

    An excited Garry expressed as much while giving his first public reaction to the news on social media. “The Future” encouraged his supporters to attend the event and vowed to put on a show.

    “It’s official…me versus Carlos Prates, April 26. I’m excited,” Ian Garry said. “The UFC go, ‘Ah, we need someone. Who do we need? Who do we call?’ You call me. Why? ‘Cause I’m a real fighter who wants to fight the best in the world.

    “I’m going to show everybody how good I am,” Garry continued. “Carlos Prates is awesome, but this is my world. I love to fight! There’s nothing more I love in this world than fighting. … Ireland, get your tickets, get your flights. Brazil, get your tickets, get your flights.”

    The Irishman most recently fell short in another late-notice contest opposite Shavkat Rakhmonov last December. The result marked his first defeat in the UFC and professional MMA as a whole.

    Prates, meanwhile, has been on a charge since breaking through on MMA’s biggest stage. The Brazilian Fighting Nerds standout has won four straight, most recently knocking out Neil Magny.

  • Ian Garry Gets First UFC Main Event Against Carlos Prates In Kansas City

    Ian Garry Gets First UFC Main Event Against Carlos Prates In Kansas City

    The UFCā€™s return to Kansas City now features an electrifying new main event.

    On Tuesday, the UFC confirmed a high-stakes welterweight showdown between Ian Garry and Carlos Prates as the headline bout for the Fight Night card set to take place on April 26 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

    The announcement comes in the wake of the previously scheduled main event between top-ranked light heavyweight Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. being scrapped for undisclosed reasons.

    “The Future” is set to make his comeback after suffering the first loss of his career, a hard-fought unanimous decision to undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 this past December. Prior to that, Garry had been riding the momentum of an eight-fight winning streak in the UFC, building on his flawless record through 15 professional bouts.

    Meanwhile, Prates was last seen in November, where he secured a first-round knockout over Neil Magny at a Fight Night event. “The Nightmare” is riding a wave of momentum, holding a perfect 4-0 record in the UFC. He enters this matchup on a ten-fight win streak, with every victory coming by knockout.

    The Brazilian was initially set to square off against Geoff Neal at UFC 314 on April 12, but “Handz of Steel” was forced to withdraw from the fight due to an injury.

    With the addition of this matchup, the UFC Kansas City lineup now includes:

    • Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates: welterweight
    • Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang: light heavyweight
    • Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama: featherweight
    • Michel Pereira vs. Abus Magomedov: middleweight
    • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz: middleweight
    • Randy Brown vs. Nicolas Dalby: welterweight
    • Jimmy Flick vs. Matt Schnell: flyweight
    • Evan Elder vs. Ahmad Hassanzada: lightweight
    • Jaqueline Amorim vs. Polyana Viana: strawweight
    • Cameron Saaiman vs. Malcolm Wellmaker: bantamweight
    • Chelsea Chandler vs. Joselyne Edwards: women’s bantamweight
  • UFC 314 Loses Main Card Fight Weeks Out From Miami PPV

    UFC 314 Loses Main Card Fight Weeks Out From Miami PPV

    The lineup for next month’s UFC 314 pay-per-view has taken a big hit.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will be back in Florida soon to host another April numbered event from inside Miami’s Kaseya Center.

    The March PPV in Las Vegas saw multiple bouts struck off the card on fight day due to illness. Now, the injury curse has reared its head again in 2025, with one of the most intriguing matchups booked for UFC 314 falling through.

    After establishing himself as one of the fastest-rising names on MMA’s biggest stage, Carlos Prates was gearing up for a showdown with longtime welterweight contender Geoff Neal.

    But during the broadcast for Saturday’s UFC Mexico event, it was announced that “Handz of Steel” has been forced to withdraw, taking both him and Prates off the April 12 lineup.

    It remains to be seen what comes next for Prates after this cancellation, but play-by-play commentator Jon Anik implied news regarding that is on the way.

  • UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: New Fights For Shevchenko, Prates, Ige And More

    MMA News has you covered with this weekā€™s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming fight cards.

    With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if theyā€™re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

    Between Monday, February 17, and Sunday, February 23, a number of fights were made official by the UFC or reported as being in the works by reputable sources.

    For those matchups, including multiple championship bouts, check out the list below:

    But it wasnā€™t all positive, with four fights falling through or being adjusted:

  • Carlos Prates Takes Issue With Omission From ‘Best Hands In The UFC’ List

    Carlos Prates Takes Issue With Omission From ‘Best Hands In The UFC’ List

    The UFC is home to some incredible strikers who are particularly known for the boxing skills that they bring to the Octagon. Following a recent social media post, one of the promotion’s most devastating knockout artists voiced his displeasure at being left out of that category.

    Popular MMA social media page and clothing brand Full Violence posted the following image on Instagram which listed Sean O’Malley, Jack Della Maddalena, JosĆ© Aldo, Dustin Poirier, Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira, Max Holloway and Petr Yan as the fighters with the best hands in the sport. One of the breakout stars of 2024 clearly believes that he should also have been highlighted based on the body of work that he has accumulated over the past 12 months.

    Carlos Prates emerged as one of the most dangerous strikers in the UFC by producing four consecutive knockout wins inside the Octagon this past year. After appearing on the 2023 season of Dana White’s Contender Series, the Brazilian has announced himself as a serious threat in the welterweight division by stopping Trevin Giles, Charles Radtke, Li Jingliang and Neil Magny with his latest performance earning him a spot in the top 15 rankings.

    The Fighting Nerds athlete credits his Muay Thai experience for his ferocious striking skillset which has seen him win 16 of his 21 pro fights via knockout. Whilst it surely would’ve been an honor for Prates to be listed alongside this group of fighters considering that all but one of them has been a champion at one stage in their careers, his comment in the replies to the post says it all without the need for any words.

  • Henry Cejudo Ranks The Standout Brazilian Stars From The Fighting Nerds

    Henry Cejudo Ranks The Standout Brazilian Stars From The Fighting Nerds

    The Fighting Nerds team out of Brazil has been one of the most exciting stables of fighters to really announce their arrival in 2024. With one fighter signing to the UFC several years ago and proving himself to be a top contender in his division, three other stand outs have made huge impacts inside the Octagon after featuring on last year’s season of the Contender Series.

    With an overall record of 11-0 with nine finishes in the UFC this year, Henry Cejudo recently ranked the four Fighting Nerds competitors that have put their team on the map. Unsurprisingly, he gave top billing to the squad’s unofficial team captain, Caio Borralho.

    Borralho has won seven fights in a row at middleweight to earn himself the #6-ranking with wins over the likes of Jared Cannonier, Paul Craig and Abus Magomedov setting him up for a huge match-up next time out. Cejudo has been particularly impressed with his wrestling and consistency.

    ā€œI got to go with Borralho. His takedown entries are no joke. I wasnā€™t too sure if he was going to get tired but man, heā€™s special so I think heā€™s the first one to lead. Other than him being the first one to lead, Iā€™m going to have to go with Jean Silva.ā€

    Since producing an upset on Contender Series, Silva has won three fights in a row this year at both featherweight and lightweight. His latest win over Drew Dober earned him a performance of the night bonus and though Cejudo wants to see him, and the following names, get tested against a high-level wrestler, he’s very impressed with what he has seen thus far.

    A fighter that will certainly be in the conversation for breakthrough fighter of the year is Carlos Prates who has finished all four of his opponents this year. A first round knockout against Neil Magny in his first main event at the start of this month saw him enter the welterweight rankings at #13.

    ā€œHeā€™s one that I really want to know how good he really is and I do want to see him get tested in that wrestling department. Does Carlos Prates have that threshold of having somebody like a Shavkat or somebody thatā€™s going to wrestle, a Kamaru Usman, someone thatā€™s going to bring that heavy wrestling feel. How is it that he can handle all of that?ā€

    Last but not least is the member of the four who fought the most recently, Mauricio Ruffy. A spectacular debut against Jamie Mullarkey opened his UFC account in style but his performance at UFC 309 where he faced James Llontop wasn’t as impressive after he secured a decision win as a massive favorite coming in.

    ā€œHe just fought this weekend. Very creative, very dangerous on what he does and I do feel like he is special.ā€