Carlos Prates rapidly gained popularity in the welterweight division, seen as a potential title threat after securing four bonus-winning knockouts in 2024. He is set to headline UFC Kansas City against Ian Machado Garry on April 26.
“I don`t believe a title shot is next,” Prates shared, “but I think winning this fight will bring me very close to the belt.” He elaborated, suggesting, “After defeating Ian Garry, I anticipate needing one more fight – potentially against someone like Sean Brady or Leon Edwards, or perhaps the loser of the upcoming Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena bout – to position myself for the championship.”
Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena are scheduled to main event UFC 315 on May 10, a fight expected to clarify the title picture. However, the situation could become more complex if lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, a friend of Muhammad, decides to move up and challenge Della Maddalena should he win.
Despite the potential for a delay in challenging for the UFC championship, the welterweight from Fighting Nerds remains unconcerned.
“I am not in a rush,” Prates stated. “Whatever is meant to happen will happen. I am confident that I will become champion and claim the belt eventually, so everything is fine. While there`s a downside in that it creates anxiety, there`s also an upside. The more time passes before I fight for the belt, the more prepared and experienced I will be when that moment arrives.”
Initially, Prates was set to fight Geoff Neal at UFC 312 on April 12, but Neal withdrew just days before the event due to injury. This change led to Prates headlining a UFC Fight Night event in Kansas City against a higher-ranked opponent. Prates had previously headlined an event against Magny in November, though that took place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
Commenting on the late change, Prates remarked, “It was wild. I was initially disappointed when I heard the news about Geoff Neal`s injury. However, it turned out better for me because I`m now in a main event, which means more pay since it`s a five-round fight. My original opponent was ranked No. 10, and now I`m facing No. 7. I`ve fought on a pay-per-view card before in Australia, and now I`ll experience headlining in Kansas.”
Ian Garry trains at Chute Boxe Diego Lima, a gym situated only 11 miles from Prates` gym, Fighting Nerds. Despite some online exchanges, Prates insists there is no actual rivalry between the two São Paulo-based teams.
Once the cage door is shut, Prates aims to finish the fight before the final bell. He notes that Garry won a decision against accomplished striker Michael Page in June 2024, but Prates questions the similarity between himself and Page.
“I prefer a knockout because it makes getting the bonus easier,” Prates commented. “However, I also train jiu-jitsu and hold a black belt, so if he makes any error, he`ll face pressure from every angle… I`m not sure about Michael Page`s jiu-jitsu level. I watched a grappling match he had, and it appeared quite basic, even poor. Michael Page is an excellent striker, and his style is difficult to deal with because it`s awkward, but his jiu-jitsu is substandard.”
Prates predicted the fight would be a “clash of styles” because “Ian Garry tends to let fights go the distance, as if he`s not in a hurry. On the other hand, I like to knock people out; I step into the cage thinking about securing a bonus. I want to finish fights. It will be fascinating to witness this stylistic difference in action. He will undoubtedly attempt to grapple with me – everyone expects that. It will be a fight. He`ll likely feign striking exchanges to close the distance and try to take my back, but I am prepared to defend and also engage in striking and really mess him up.”
