Carlos Prates believes he’s ‘very close to the belt’ with UFC Kansas City win over Ian Machado Garry
Carlos Prates quickly became a fan favorite in the welterweight division with four bonus-winning knockouts in 2024 and emerging as a potential title contender in the UFC going into his UFC Kansas City main event clash with Ian Machado Garry on April 26.
“I don’t think [title shot is next], but I think [a win] gets me very close to the belt,” Prates told MMA Fighting. “After this fight, after beating Ian Garry, I think one more fight, maybe someone like Sean Brady or Leon Edwards, or the loser of Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, puts me next for the belt.”
Muhammad and Della Maddalena will headline UFC 315 on May 10 to determine who walks away with the belt, and the title picture could get more confusing if lightweight king — and Muhammad friend — Islam Makhachev moves up to challenge Della Maddalena in case of a win.
A potential delay in challenging for UFC gold doesn’t bother the Fighting Nerds welterweight, though.
“I’m in no hurry,” Prates said. “What has to be, will be. I know I will become champion, that I’ll get the belt one day, so it’s all good. On one hand, it’s bad because we get anxious, but on the other hand it’s good. The longer it takes for me to get to the belt, more prepared and experienced I’ll be when it’s time to fight for the belt.”
Prates was originally slated to face Geoff Neal at UFC 312 on April 12 but saw his opponent withdraw just days before the event due to injury. Instead, he headlines a UFC Fight Night show in Kansas City against a higher-ranked foe. Prates also fought on the main event bout against Magny in November, but inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
“It was crazy,” Prates said of the changes. “I was upset when I heard the news. Unfortunately, Geoff Neal got injured, but it changed for the better for me because now I’m in a main event, and it pays more because it’s five rounds. I was going to fight the No. 10 ranked, and now it’s the No. 7. I already fought on a pay-per-view once in Australia, and now I get to know how it’s like to headline in Kansas.”
Garry represents Chute Boxe Diego Lima, a gym located 11 miles away from Prates’ Fighting Nerds. Despite the online back and forth between the two, Prates says there’s no rivalry between the two São Paulo teams.
When the cage door closes, he’s looking to get the job done inside the distance. Garry was able to win a decision against decorate striker Michael Page in June 2024, but Prates isn’t sure they’re any similar.
“I like the knockout because it’s easier to get the bonus,” Prates said. “But I train jiu-jitsu and I’m a black belt, so if he makes a mistake, there’s pressure from all sides here, brother. I don’t know how good is Michael Page’s jiu-jitsu. I saw a grappling match he did [against Carlos Condit] and it’s quite basic, pretty bad. Michael Page is a very good striker. It’s hard to fight him because he’s awkward, but his jiu-jitsu is subpar.
“I think it’s going to be a clash of styles because Ian Garry tends to take the fight to the distance, it’s like he’s in no rush. I for one like to knock people out, I go in there thinking about the bonus. I like to end fights. It’s going to be interesting to see this clash of styles in there. He’ll definitely come trying to grapple me, no one doubts that. It’s going to be a fight. He’ll pretend to trade on the feet so he can close the distance, and take my back, and I’m ready to defend and trade on the feet and beat the crap out of him.”