Carlos Prates
Carlao
Brazil
First to knockout Leon Edwards
Prates defeated Leon Edwards via KO (punches) at 1:28 of Round 2 at UFC 322 on Saturday in New York City.
ANALYSIS
Prates can't really grapple and he's going to be in all sorts of trouble when these big shots don't land, but the power is clearly a legitimate difference maker. Carlos looked lousy in the opening round, giving up two takedowns and 3:00 worth of control time, but he cut off Edwards' space early in Round 2 and connected with a left hand which literally knocked Leon off of his feet and finished him in an instant. 6-1 in the UFC, with six knockout wins and a unanimous decision loss to Ian Garry on his resume, Prates may have been next in line for a title shot against the winner of tonight's main event between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, but Michael Morales is going to have something to say about it following his first-round knockout win over Sean Brady.
Prates can't really grapple and he's going to be in all sorts of trouble when these big shots don't land, but the power is clearly a legitimate difference maker. Carlos looked lousy in the opening round, giving up two takedowns and 3:00 worth of control time, but he cut off Edwards' space early in Round 2 and connected with a left hand which literally knocked Leon off of his feet and finished him in an instant. 6-1 in the UFC, with six knockout wins and a unanimous decision loss to Ian Garry on his resume, Prates may have been next in line for a title shot against the winner of tonight's main event between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, but Michael Morales is going to have something to say about it following his first-round knockout win over Sean Brady.
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Confirmed for UFC 322
Prates will fight Leon Edwards at UFC 322 on Nov. 15 in New York City, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Prates is undoubtedly flying high after winning via KO (spinning back elbow) Aug. 16 against Geoff Neal at UFC 319. He'll square off against an opponent in Edwards who hasn't tasted victory in nearly two years.
Prates is undoubtedly flying high after winning via KO (spinning back elbow) Aug. 16 against Geoff Neal at UFC 319. He'll square off against an opponent in Edwards who hasn't tasted victory in nearly two years.
Devastating KO reignites hype
Prates defeated Geoff Neal via KO (spinning back elbow) at 4:59 of Round 1 at UFC 319 on Saturday in Chicago, Illinois.
ANALYSIS
Prates bounced back in fine style after suffering the first loss of his career in April. The Brazilian fighter seemed entirely unfazed by Neal's pressure, as he routinely found his way back to space to work his offense. "Handz of Steel" may have gotten too comfortable walking into range, allowing Prates to crush him with a spinning back elbow just before the bell sounded in Round 1. It was a revealing performance for Prates, who was able to thrive in the face of a talented fighter bearing down on him. He'd also go on to win a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts. "The Nightmare" still has questions to answer regarding takedown defense, but it's safe to say that he put himself right back into title contention Saturday. Prates improves to 22-7-0 in professional MMA as a result of the win.
Prates bounced back in fine style after suffering the first loss of his career in April. The Brazilian fighter seemed entirely unfazed by Neal's pressure, as he routinely found his way back to space to work his offense. "Handz of Steel" may have gotten too comfortable walking into range, allowing Prates to crush him with a spinning back elbow just before the bell sounded in Round 1. It was a revealing performance for Prates, who was able to thrive in the face of a talented fighter bearing down on him. He'd also go on to win a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts. "The Nightmare" still has questions to answer regarding takedown defense, but it's safe to say that he put himself right back into title contention Saturday. Prates improves to 22-7-0 in professional MMA as a result of the win.
Booked for UFC 319
Prates will face off against Geoff Neal at UFC 319 on Aug. 16, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Prates has had his fight against Geoff Neal rebooked for UFC 319 after the original bout slated for UFC 314 was called off. The 31-year-old Brazilian fighter, who most recently lost against Ian Gary in April, is 4-1 during his time with the UFC.
Prates has had his fight against Geoff Neal rebooked for UFC 319 after the original bout slated for UFC 314 was called off. The 31-year-old Brazilian fighter, who most recently lost against Ian Gary in April, is 4-1 during his time with the UFC.
Struggles in main event defeat
Prates lost to Ian Garry via unanimous decision (47-48, 47-48, 46-49) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Kansas City.
ANALYSIS
It was a baffling performance from Prates in the biggest fight of his career. He spent the first four rounds doing nothing. Garry outclassed him in every sense of the word. Prates didn't seem tired, but he also didn't seem to have any desire to let his hands go and truly engage with Garry. The best thing about his game through 20 mins was his takedown defense. Then everything changed. Aided by Garry clearly being exhausted, Prates got his opponent in a compromising position on the mat and had a chance to win the fight with about 30 seconds left if he just kept unloading hammer fists. Instead, Prates let Garry off the hook and lost the decision. It would have been an unimpressive effort even if the miracle comeback came to fruition. Garry is a quality opponent, but this was a lousy effort in a big spot. It's Prates' first loss in five UFC bouts.
It was a baffling performance from Prates in the biggest fight of his career. He spent the first four rounds doing nothing. Garry outclassed him in every sense of the word. Prates didn't seem tired, but he also didn't seem to have any desire to let his hands go and truly engage with Garry. The best thing about his game through 20 mins was his takedown defense. Then everything changed. Aided by Garry clearly being exhausted, Prates got his opponent in a compromising position on the mat and had a chance to win the fight with about 30 seconds left if he just kept unloading hammer fists. Instead, Prates let Garry off the hook and lost the decision. It would have been an unimpressive effort even if the miracle comeback came to fruition. Garry is a quality opponent, but this was a lousy effort in a big spot. It's Prates' first loss in five UFC bouts.
Set to challenge Garry
ANALYSIS
Prates was expected to face Geoff Neal in a welterweight matchup at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami, but instead, he'll have two more weeks to prepare for this main event against Garry. He's won his previous four fights in the first two rounds and will look to do the same against Garry, who's coming off the first loss of his career in December 2024.
Prates was expected to face Geoff Neal in a welterweight matchup at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami, but instead, he'll have two more weeks to prepare for this main event against Garry. He's won his previous four fights in the first two rounds and will look to do the same against Garry, who's coming off the first loss of his career in December 2024.