Arriving within the promotion with a 17-6 document, Carlos Prates racked up wins in ONE championship and LFA earlier than seizing a chance on Dana White’s contender collection in August 2023. It was there that he completed Mitch Ramirez with a straight left in spherical quantity two, which was sufficient to earn him a contract with the UFC.
Beginning Off With A Bang
His full debut got here at UFC combat evening in February final 12 months, the place he once more stopped his opponent Trevin Giles with the identical shot in the identical spherical as his earlier sufferer. The excellent end was sufficient to earn him efficiency of the evening, incomes himself an additional $50,000 on prime of his combat purse as he introduced himself to a good wider viewers.
4 months later he was matched with Chris Radtke on one other combat evening card, when Joe Martinez referred to as out the Brazilians identify you can inform from the gang response that the UFC fanbase had taken to the promising welterweight expertise. His American opponent was no slouch and got here into the competition already carrying two wins below the UFC banner, so it was seen as a good match-up on paper.
However that’s the place the evenness ended, as quickly as they stepped within the octagon you knew from Prates’ stature in comparison with Radtke’s that it was solely a matter of time with the artillery he carries. A thunderous physique kick within the first spherical that compelled Radtke to twist up and primarily stop noticed Prates rake in one other $50,000 with the efficiency of the evening bonus, additional enhancing his fast-growing fame.
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Advantages Of Early Finishes.
His third win of the 12 months got here after his shortest turnaround with a spot of simply two months between combat dates the place he jumped on the likelihood to function on the most important card of his UFC profession so far, UFC 305 Du Plessis vs. Adesanya, and but once more he delivered. The following sufferer of the Carlos Prates period was Li Jingliang, who had by no means been knocked out in his earlier twenty-seven fights, together with eight defeats. ‘
‘The Nightmare’ ended that run emphatically within the second spherical after what was principally a Muay Thai combat. After the first weapon of his deadly left hand landed a number of instances and his normal array of kicks and elbows, the Brazilian had Jiangliang on his toes after connecting with a pinpoint left cross, which compelled him backwards. After all, Prates adopted him like a canine and landed a knockout of-the 12 months contender, which introduced an enormous pop for the Australian crowd and yet one more fight-of-the-night bonus for the previous ONE championship fighter.
The Nightmare.
Typically, for many fighters working their approach by way of the rankings, they should beat a contender that sits across the prime fifteen in a combat scheduled for 5 rounds, and in November final 12 months, he did precisely that. In his approach was the UFC veteran Neil Magny, who has been with the promotion since 2013, producing some huge moments of his personal. Nevertheless it was Prates who produced one other huge second when he ran by way of Magny within the first spherical, laying him out flat on the canvas.
Shock, shock, it was yet one more bonus heading the nightmare’s approach after as soon as once more residing as much as his nickname. A very excellent begin to life within the UFC with 4 fights, 4 knockouts, 4 bonuses in 2024 and now sitting at quantity 13 within the rankings of a littered welterweight division with enormous names comparable to Leon Edwards, Shavkat Rakhmonov and present champion Belal Muhammad.
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What’s Subsequent?
He now has many potential choices with additional names like Joaquin Buckley and Sean Brady, who would pose a a lot more durable problem than his opponents during the last twelve months. There’s additionally the prospect of combating former champion Kamaru Usman or Colby Covington, plus many extra high-profile names in one of many fan’s favorite weight lessons.
Who would you prefer to see the 2024 breakout fighter of the 12 months face subsequent? Tell us within the remark part!
