‘Prates could have finished that sh*t’: Pros react to Ian Machado Garry escaping with UFC Kansas City main event win
Ian Machado Garry got back in the winning track at UFC Kansas City despite a late scare.
“The Future” bounced back from his first loss with a solid performance against Carlos Prates in Saturday’s headliner. The official scorecards read 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 in Garry’s favor, though the unanimous decision doesn’t reflect how close Prates came to pulling off the upset.
With Garry clearly up on the cards through three rounds, Prates stole Round 4 with a flurry of damaging punches late in the frame. He then dominated much of Round 5, culminating in him laying into Garry with heavy ground-and-pound to the point that it looked like Prates might have been one more push away from earning a knockout. However, Garry hung on for the win.
Several fighters felt Prates should have put Garry away, including Sergio Pettis, who wrote on Twitter, “Prates could have finished that shit. Bad decisions at the end.”
Henry Cejudo, Casey O’Neill, and Derek Brunson were also among the fighters who wanted to see if Prates had enough left in the tank to pull off a come-from-behind victory.
Check out social media reactions to the UFC Kansas City main event below.
Prates could have finished that shit. Bad decisions at the end
— Sergio Pettis (@sergiopettis) April 27, 2025
I can’t believe Prates didn’t finish Ian Garry in the last minute!!! Unbelievable #UFCKansasCity
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) April 27, 2025
If Carlos had unloaded just then he would have got the stoppage. Frustrating to see, but great fight iq from Garry #ufckanascity
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) April 27, 2025
Prates is definitely going to need a cigarette after that 1. Had Garry on the ropes late and didn’t push hard enough ! #ufckanascity
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 27, 2025
Good win by Garry but don’t get hit by prates bro got heavy hands in every position fuck that shit was wild at the end
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) April 27, 2025
Great fight! ❤️
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 27, 2025
Ian Garry is still HIM! Fights not over yet, but Garry’s’ fight IQ is sharp tonight. Prates needs a big moment to gain some respect and momentum to get back into this fight. #UFCkanascity
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 27, 2025
Carlos you might as well go for it bro
— Rampage Jackson (@Rampage4real) April 27, 2025
Told you Gary’s iq was gonna win this
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 27, 2025
Aight that was a good cigarette taunt lol
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 27, 2025
This game the well rounded fighter always has an upper hand .
— Themba Gorimbo (@TheAnswerMMA) April 27, 2025
You ain’t gonna knock everyone out and just like you ain’t going to submit everyone.
Be well rounded.#ufckanascity
5th round and Prates is still pushing forward.... could you imagine how much stronger/moving forward he would be if he DIDN'T SMOKE?! Either way hats off to him!!#UFCKansasCity #ufc
— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) April 27, 2025
Prates will always go down as a fan favorite. But he's gotta work on that fight IQ!! Had Garry hurt and open for the finish but gave him multiple opportunities just to get up and strike. Good performance by Garry tho!!#UFCKansasCity
— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) April 27, 2025
Well that final 5 was dramatic. Machado Garry so well balanced with his movement and delivery. Great job #ufckanascity
— John Gooden (@JohnGoodenUK) April 27, 2025
What a great main event #ufckanascity
— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) April 27, 2025