Carlos Prates

Carlos Prates (born August 17, 1993) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai fighter. He currently competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of June 20, 2026, he is #1 in the Meta UFC welterweight rankings.

Background Prates was born August 17, 1993 in Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil to a single mother. As a child, Prates struggled in school, and was eventually diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at eight years old. During his teenage years he started Muay Thai at Vale Top Team and after four years started his mixed martial arts career. After his fourth loss Prates would move to Thailand to learn Muay Thai and compete before switching back to MMA in 2016.

Career Muay Thai and kickboxing career On April 2, 2016, Prates faced future Lethwei World Champion Dave Leduc at Rawai Boxing Stadium in Phuket, Thailand. He lost the fight by decision.

On April 7, 2018, Prates faced Wu Sihan in Weifang, China. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

On April 28, 2018, Prates faced Jacob Ginter at Phoenix 7 in Phuket, Thailand. He won the fight by second round knockout.

On October 20, 2018, Prates faced Zhou Wei at the WLK - Xinhong Cup event. He lost the fight by decision.

On November 21, 2018, Prates faced Chen Zijun at Kunlun Fight in China. He won the fight by first round knockout with a knee to the body.

On December 22, 2018, Prates faced Glory veteran Dmitry Menshikov at Muay Thai Factory 1. He lost the fight by decision.

On December 15, 2019, Prates faced Jiao Fukai at Hongjian Cup in Taicang, China. He won the fight by split decision.

On September 12, 2020, Prates faced former Rajadamnern Stadium champion Diesellek Seardammhooplara at Muay Hardcore. He won by first round knockout with a knee to the body.

On November 20, 2020, Prates faced Mansurbek Tolipov at UAM K-1 Combat. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

On June 25, 2021, Prates faced Dmitry Valent at Muaythai Night 6. He won the fight by split decision.

On November 6, 2021, Prates faced Dengue Silva for the SFT Xtreme Welterweight title. He won the fight by fifth round knockout with a body punch.

Mixed martial arts career His professional MMA debut took place in 2012, but his early career had a rocky start. Over his first nine fights, he faced several challenges, finishing with a 5-4 record. These setbacks were partly attributed to his competing in an unsuitable weight class and a lack of discipline in his training regimen. Eventually, Prates honed his skills and found his stride, particularly after an extended stay in Thailand, where he gained valuable experience in Muay Thai.

Prates fought extensively in the Asian MMA scene, participating in events like China’s Chin Woo Men and Thailand’s Full Metal Dojo.

He also joined ONE Championship’s Warrior Series in 2019, where he gained recognition with wins against fighters such as Gunther Kalunda. Prates compiled a record of 15-6 from 2012 to 2023 before being invited to Dana White's Contender Series.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Prates made his debut on February 10, 2024 at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Pyfer against Trevin Giles. Prates won via KO in the second round. This earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.

Prates later fought at UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov against Charles Radtke, where he won via a knee to the body in the first round. This gave him another Performance of the Night bonus.

Prates made his pay-per-view debut at UFC 305 on August 18, 2024 against Li Jingliang. He won via a left hook knockout after dropping Jingliang twice, being the first to knockout Jingliang. This earned him his third consecutive Performance of the Night bonus.

Prates had his first main event on UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates against veteran Neil Magny. Prates defended all 7 of Magny's takedowns and dropped him twice, winning by knockout 4 minutes and 50 seconds into the first round. This earned Prates his fourth consecutive Performance of the Night award.

Prates was scheduled to face Geoff Neal on April 12, 2025 at UFC 314. However, Neal withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and the bout was subsequently cancelled.

Prates faced Ian Machado Garry on April 26, 2025 in the main event at UFC on ESPN 66. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

The bout between Prates and Neal was re-scheduled and eventually took place on August 16, 2025 at UFC 319. He won the fight via knockout in round one. This earned Prates his fifth Performance of the Night award.

Prates faced former UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards on November 15, 2025 at UFC 322. He won the fight by knockout in the second round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Prates faced former UFC Welterweight Champion Jack Della Maddalena on May 2, 2026 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 275. He won the fight by technical knockout in the third round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Fighting style Prates is a stand-up striker and "knockout artist" known for his devastating power. He utilizes his length to counter opponents with long, rangy strikes from the outside, employing a variety of weapons including punches, leg kicks, knees up the middle, and step-in elbows. Ahead of his fight against Neil Magny, Prates attempted to smoke just minutes before making the walk, before UFC personnel intervened.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Seven times) vs. Third highest knockdown average per 15 minutes in UFC Welterweight division history (2.1) Tied (Robbie Lawler & Neil Magny) for fifth most knockouts in UFC Welterweight division history (7) UFC.com Awards 2024: Newcomer of the Year, Ranked #3 Fighter of the Year & Ranked #9 Knockout of the Year 2025: Ranked #3 Knockout of the Year Standout Fighting Tournament SFT Welterweight Championship (One time) MMA Junkie 2024 Newcomer of the Year Cageside Press 2024 Newcomer of the Year BodySlam.net 2024 Rookie of the Year MMA Fighting 2024 Rookie of the Year 2024 First Team MMA All-Star 2025 Second Team MMA All-Star ESPN 2024 Best Newcomer Bloody Elbow 2025 #5 Ranked Knockout of the Year MMA Mania 2024 #3 Ranked Knockout of the Year 2025 #3 Ranked Knockout of the Year Uncrowned 2025 #4 Ranked Knockout of the Year

Kickboxing Standout Fighting Tournament SFT Extreme Welterweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Jack Della Maddalena TKO (leg kicks and elbows) UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Perth, Australia Win

Leon Edwards KO (punches) UFC 322

New York City, New York, United States Win

Geoff Neal KO (spinning back elbow) UFC 319

Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss

Ian Machado Garry Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Neil Magny KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Li Jingliang KO (punches) UFC 305

Perth, Australia Win

Charles Radtke KO (knee to the body) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov

Louisville, Kentucky, United States Win

Trevin Giles KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Pyfer

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Mitch Ramirez TKO (punch) Dana White's Contender Series 60

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Eduardo Ramon KO (knee) LFA 154

Cajamar, Brazil Win

Moacir Rocha KO (head kick and punches) LFA 146

Cajamar, Brazil Win

Charles de Oliveira Santos KO (punch) Standout Fighting Tournament 37

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Taffarel Brasil KO (punches and knee) Standout Fighting Tournament 35

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Alan Silva TKO (punches) Standout Fighting Tournament 32

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Joseph Luciano Decision (unanimous) ONE Warriors Series 9

Kallang, Singapore Loss

Gadzhimurad Abdullaev Decision (unanimous) ONE Warriors Series 6

Kallang, Singapore Win

Gunther Kalunda Ngunza KO (body kick) ONE Warriors Series 5

Kallang, Singapore Win

Tuluosibake Kuerbanjiang TKO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 30

Zhengzhou, China Win

Tao Jiang TKO (punches) Chin Woo Men: 2016-2017 Season, Stage 7

Guangzhou, China Loss

Mikhail Romanchuk TKO (punches) Chin Woo Men: 2016-2017 Season, Stage 3

Guangzhou, China Win

Sun Jiming Submission (guillotine choke) Chin Woo Men: 2016-2017 Season, Stage 1

Guangzhou, China Win

Yousef Wehbe Submission (rear-naked choke) Full Metal Dojo 8

Phuket, Thailand Loss

Ary Santos Submission (rear-naked choke) MMA Super Heroes 6

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Bruno Pereira Submission (armbar) Strong Fight Combat 2

Taubaté, Brazil Loss

Claudiere Freitas Submission (triangle choke) Premium Fight Championship 3

Campinas, Brazil Win

Cosme Santos KO (body kick) Brazil Combate 2

Americana, Brazil Loss

Diogo Cavalcanti Submission (heel hook) Standout Fighting Tournament 1

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Rodrigo Haro Decision (majority) Detonic Fight 2

Ouro Fino, Brazil Loss

Rafael Nunes TKO (retirement) Max Fight 13

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Renato da Silva Jr. TKO (punches) Romani Fight Brazil 1

Taubaté, Brazil Win

Sergio Vieira TKO (body kick and punches) Max Fight 11

Campinas, Brazil Muay Thai and kickboxing record (incomplete)