Carlos Prates
Carlao
Brazil
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. "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. "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.
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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.
Facing Neal at UFC 314
Prates will take on Geoff Neal in a welterweight matchup at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Prates is one of the hottest fighters in a deep welterweight division, having one each of his first four UFC bouts in within two rounds and getting awarded a post-fight bonus in each. He most recently erased perennial gatekeeper Neil Magny in November, but he now gets a step up in competition against Neal, who was once regarded as one of the division's top prospects. Neal, who has lost two of his last three, has a slight edge in volume striking, but Prates defends himself better, in addition to owning advantages in both height and reach.
Prates is one of the hottest fighters in a deep welterweight division, having one each of his first four UFC bouts in within two rounds and getting awarded a post-fight bonus in each. He most recently erased perennial gatekeeper Neil Magny in November, but he now gets a step up in competition against Neal, who was once regarded as one of the division's top prospects. Neal, who has lost two of his last three, has a slight edge in volume striking, but Prates defends himself better, in addition to owning advantages in both height and reach.
Destroys Neil Magny in main event
Prates defeated Neil Magny via KO (punch) at 4:50 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Entering as a -800 favorite in his first UFC main event, Prates was given a cakewalk matchup here against Magny and took full advantage. He did a nice job of remaining upright, fending off all seven of Neil's takedown attempts before predictably overwhelming his opponent on the feet. Prates has insane power and showed it off with a pair of knockdowns, the second of which appeared to just barely connect. Carlos is now 4-0 in the UFC, with four knockouts victories in his resume. He also has a knockout victory on Dana White's Contender Series on his ledger. Too young to be considered a true prospect at age 31, the company might as well push Prades to the moon right away and let the chips fall where they may.
Entering as a -800 favorite in his first UFC main event, Prates was given a cakewalk matchup here against Magny and took full advantage. He did a nice job of remaining upright, fending off all seven of Neil's takedown attempts before predictably overwhelming his opponent on the feet. Prates has insane power and showed it off with a pair of knockdowns, the second of which appeared to just barely connect. Carlos is now 4-0 in the UFC, with four knockouts victories in his resume. He also has a knockout victory on Dana White's Contender Series on his ledger. Too young to be considered a true prospect at age 31, the company might as well push Prades to the moon right away and let the chips fall where they may.