In a year filled with breakout performances and new stars, one name stands above the rest in the UFC’s stacked welterweight division: Carlos Prates. The 31-year-old Brazilian capped off a perfect 4-0 run in 2024 with a highlight-reel knockout of perennial contender Neil Magny in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event.
Prates, who earned his way into the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series just last year, needed less than a round to dispatch Magny and announce himself as a bona fide title threat at 170 pounds. After withstanding some early clinch pressure from the crafty veteran, Prates unleashed a pinpoint counter elbow that badly hurt Magny. Smelling blood, the Brazilian swarmed with punches, chasing Magny around the Octagon before putting him away with a crushing straight left hand that only partially landed flush.
A Star is Born
While hardcore fans have been high on Prates since his Contender Series win, 2024 was the year he forced the entire MMA world to take notice. All four of his UFC victories this year came by way of knockout, with each one seemingly more vicious than the last.
His coach at Sao Paulo’s renowned Fight Nerds gym raved about Prates’ development in a recent interview:
Carlos’ confidence is at an all-time high right now. His striking has always been powerful, but now it’s also becoming very precise and technical. Combined with his underrated grappling, he’s an incredibly well-rounded fighter hitting his peak at just the right time.
– Eduardo Perdigao, Head Coach at Fight Nerds
That peak has produced an unprecedented level of success for a UFC rookie. Beyond the unblemished record, Prates has picked up three performance bonuses in his four outings, making him one of the promotion’s most prolific earners in 2024. Not bad for a fighter who was a relative unknown just 12 months ago.
The Magny of the Hour
Of course, the man on the losing end of Prates’ star-making turn was Neil Magny, one of the welterweight division’s most respected and durable competitors. Stepping in on short notice to replace the injured Sean Brady, Magny characteristically jumped at the chance to test himself against an up-and-coming opponent.
Despite coming up short against Prates, the 37-year-old still has plenty to offer in a talent-rich 170-pound weight class. His ability to fight at a high pace and threaten with wrestling makes him a tough out for anyone in the division. While title contention may now be firmly in his rearview mirror, Magny remains a valuable measuring stick for rising contenders like Prates.
What’s Next for Prates?
Having closed out the year with the biggest win of his career, Prates immediately set his sights on another surging welterweight: Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena.
I want to fight him in February in Australia. He’s on a good run too and I think the fans would love to see us throw down.
– Carlos Prates, Speaking at UFC Fight Night Post-Fight Press Conference
A matchup between Prates and Della Maddalena would undoubtedly be a striking fan’s delight. Both men prefer to keep the fight standing and have a penchant for scoring spectacular knockouts. With the UFC set to return to Australia early next year, the timing could be perfect for a clash of two of the division’s hottest young stars.
Title Talk
While an immediate title shot may be premature, there’s no denying Prates has inserted himself into the championship conversation with his latest triumph. With the welterweight division in a state of flux as Kamaru Usman contemplates retirement, new contenders are jockeying for position in the wide-open title picture.
Prates’ four-fight winning streak puts him firmly in the mix alongside the likes of Belal Muhammad, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and the aforementioned Della Maddalena. While he may still need another marquee win or two to secure a title shot, Prates has all the makings of a future champion.
As 2024 comes to a close, one thing is certain: The UFC’s welterweight division has a new contender in Carlos Prates. With a perfect record, explosive finishing ability, and rapidly-growing hype, the sky appears to be the limit for the Brazilian knockout artist. Whether he faces Della Maddalena next or gets fast-tracked to a number one contender bout, Prates figures to be a prominent player at 170 pounds for years to come.
