The Octagon returns to Las Vegas this Saturday night for an explosive welterweight showdown as seasoned veteran Neil Magny takes on surging Brazilian finisher Carlos Prates in the main event of UFC Fight Night. With both men looking to make a statement and climb the 170-pound ranks, expect fireworks when they collide at the UFC Apex.
Magny Seeks to Rebound, Prates Aims to Extend Streak
For Neil Magny (29-12), this fight represents a crucial opportunity to get back on track after suffering a devastating first-round knockout loss to Michael Morales in his last outing. The 35-year-old American has been a staple of the UFC welterweight division for nearly a decade, racking up notable wins over the likes of Kelvin Gastelum, Robbie Lawler, and Carlos Condit. Known for his versatile skill set and relentless pace, Magny will need to utilize every tool in his arsenal to derail the momentum of his streaking opponent.
Across the cage, Carlos Prates (20-6) rides into this marquee matchup on the strength of a blistering 10-fight win streak, with his last nine victories coming by way of knockout. The 27-year-old Brazilian has been a force of nature since joining the UFC roster, brutally stopping Li Jingliang in the second round of his promotional debut. With a lethal combination of lightning-fast strikes and slick grappling, Prates has the potential to be a future title contender if he can continue his winning ways against the battle-tested Magny.
High Stakes in the Welterweight Division
This fight carries significant implications for the crowded welterweight landscape. For Magny, a victory would halt a two-fight skid and reaffirm his status as a perennial contender in the division. On the flip side, a win for Prates would extend his impressive streak to 11 and likely propel him into the top 15 rankings, putting the rest of the weight class on notice.
This is a huge fight for both guys. Magny needs to prove he’s still got it at this stage of his career, while Prates has a chance to show he’s the real deal against a proven veteran. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
– Anonymous Source Close to the UFC
Paths to Victory: Striking vs. Grappling
On paper, this matchup pits Magny’s well-rounded game against Prates’ explosive knockout power. Look for Magny to employ his usual strategy of using his rangy striking to set up takedowns and control the action on the mat. The American averages a whopping 4.20 takedowns per 15 minutes and will likely need to lean on his grappling to neutralize Prates’ dangerous striking.
For Prates, the gameplan is simple: keep the fight standing and uncork his trademark power shots. The Brazilian has a ridiculous 90% knockout rate in his wins and only needs one clean connection to end the fight. If he can stuff Magny’s takedowns and let his hands go, we could be in for an early finish.
How to Watch UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates
Fans in the United States can catch all the action live on ESPN+, with the main card starting at 7 p.m. ET and the prelims kicking off at 4 p.m. ET. The event will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For viewers outside the U.S., here are the international broadcast partners carrying the event:
- 🇨🇦 Canada: TSN, RDS
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: BT Sport
- 🇮🇪 Ireland: BT Sport
- 🇦🇺 Australia: Main Event, Kayo Sports
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand: Sky Sport
- 🇩🇪 Germany: DAZN
UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates Fight Card
| Main Card (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+) |
| Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates |
| Gerald Meerschaert vs. Reinier de Ridder |
| Ricky Turcios vs. Bernardo Sopaj |
| Luana Pinheiro vs. Gillian Robertson |
| Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Dusko Todorovic |
| Prelims (4 p.m. ET, ESPN+) |
| Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Denise Gomes |
| Gaston Bolaños vs. Cortavious Romious |
| Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Nicolas Dalby |
| Matthew Semelsberger vs. Charles Radtke |
| Cody Stamann vs. Da’Mon Blackshear |
| Tresean Gore vs. Antonio Trocoli |
| Melissa Mullins vs. Klaudia Sygula |
With an intriguing mix of established veterans and rising prospects, UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates promises to deliver an evening of exciting battles. In the co-main event, submission specialist Gerald Meerschaert welcomes middleweight legend Reinier de Ridder to the Octagon in a grappling-heavy affair. Further down the card, TUF standouts Ricky Turcios and Luana Pinheiro look to continue their winning ways against tough opposition.
As fight night approaches, the tension is palpable. Will Neil Magny’s experience and grit be enough to overcome Carlos Prates’ ferocious knockout power? Can Gerald Meerschaert drag de Ridder into deep waters and add another submission win to his résumé?
We’ll find out the answers to these questions and more when the cage door closes on Saturday night. One thing’s for sure: with such high stakes on the line, neither man will be leaving anything to chance. Buckle up, UFC fans. This is going to be a wild ride.
