Carlos Prates (born August 17, 1993) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai fighter. He currently competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of June 20, 2026, he is #1 in the Meta UFC welterweight rankings.
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Background
Prates was born August 17, 1993 in Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil to a single mother. As a child, Prates struggled in school, and was eventually diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at eight years old. During his teenage years he started Muay Thai at Vale Top Team and after four years started his mixed martial arts career. After his fourth loss Prates would move to Thailand to learn Muay Thai and compete before switching back to MMA in 2016.
Career
Muay Thai and kickboxing career
On April 2, 2016, Prates faced future Lethwei World Champion Dave Leduc at Rawai Boxing Stadium in Phuket, Thailand. He lost the fight by decision.
On April 7, 2018, Prates faced Wu Sihan in Weifang, China. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
On April 28, 2018, Prates faced Jacob Ginter at Phoenix 7 in Phuket, Thailand. He won the fight by second round knockout.
On October 20, 2018, Prates faced Zhou Wei at the WLK - Xinhong Cup event. He lost the fight by decision.
On November 21, 2018, Prates faced Chen Zijun at Kunlun Fight in China. He won the fight by first round knockout with a knee to the body.
On December 22, 2018, Prates faced Glory veteran Dmitry Menshikov at Muay Thai Factory 1. He lost the fight by decision.
On December 15, 2019, Prates faced Jiao Fukai at Hongjian Cup in Taicang, China. He won the fight by split decision.
On September 12, 2020, Prates faced former Rajadamnern Stadium champion Diesellek Seardammhooplara at Muay Hardcore. He won by first round knockout with a knee to the body.
On November 20, 2020, Prates faced Mansurbek Tolipov at UAM K-1 Combat. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
On June 25, 2021, Prates faced Dmitry Valent at Muaythai Night 6. He won the fight by split decision.
On November 6, 2021, Prates faced Dengue Silva for the SFT Xtreme Welterweight title. He won the fight by fifth round knockout with a body punch.
Mixed martial arts career
His professional MMA debut took place in 2012, but his early career had a rocky start. Over his first nine fights, he faced several challenges, finishing with a 5-4 record. These setbacks were partly attributed to his competing in an unsuitable weight class and a lack of discipline in his training regimen. Eventually, Prates honed his skills and found his stride, particularly after an extended stay in Thailand, where he gained valuable experience in Muay Thai.
Prates fought extensively in the Asian MMA scene, participating in events like China’s Chin Woo Men and Thailand’s Full Metal Dojo.
He also joined ONE Championship’s Warrior Series in 2019, where he gained recognition with wins against fighters such as Gunther Kalunda. Prates compiled a record of 15-6 from 2012 to 2023 before being invited to Dana White's Contender Series.
Dana White's Contender Series
Prates made his Contender Series debut on Week 4 of Season 7. He won via knockout in the second round, earning a UFC contract.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Prates made his debut on February 10, 2024 at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Pyfer against Trevin Giles. Prates won via KO in the second round. This earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.
Prates later fought at UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov against Charles Radtke, where he won via a knee to the body in the first round. This gave him another Performance of the Night bonus.
Prates made his pay-per-view debut at UFC 305 on August 18, 2024 against Li Jingliang. He won via a left hook knockout after dropping Jingliang twice, being the first to knockout Jingliang. This earned him his third consecutive Performance of the Night bonus.
Prates had his first main event on UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates against veteran Neil Magny. Prates defended all 7 of Magny's takedowns and dropped him twice, winning by knockout 4 minutes and 50 seconds into the first round.
This earned Prates his fourth consecutive Performance of the Night award.
Prates was scheduled to face Geoff Neal on April 12, 2025 at UFC 314. However, Neal withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and the bout was subsequently cancelled.
Prates faced Ian Machado Garry on April 26, 2025 in the main event at UFC on ESPN 66. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
The bout between Prates and Neal was re-scheduled and eventually took place on August 16, 2025 at UFC 319. He won the fight via knockout in round one. This earned Prates his fifth Performance of the Night award.
Prates faced former UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards on November 15, 2025 at UFC 322. He won the fight by knockout in the second round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.
Fighting style
Prates is a stand-up striker and "knockout artist" known for his devastating power. He utilizes his length to counter opponents with long, rangy strikes from the outside, employing a variety of weapons including punches, leg kicks, knees up the middle, and step-in elbows. Defensively, he has been noted to fight with his hands low. All seven of his first UFC victories came via knockout.
Personal life
Prates maintains a habit of smoking approximately 10-15 Marlboro cigarettes daily, even on fight days. Despite this, he has had great success in his UFC fights, often smoking shortly before entering the Octagon. Ahead of his fight against Neil Magny, Prates attempted to smoke just minutes before making the walk, before UFC personnel intervened.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Performance of the Night (Seven times) vs. Trevin Giles, Charles Radtke, Li Jingliang, Neil Magny, Geoff Neal, Leon Edwards and Jack Della Maddalena
Tied (Donald Cerrone, Ovince Saint Preux, Conor McGregor, Tom Aspinall & Song Yadong) for fourth most Performance of the Night awards in UFC history (7)
Second most knockdowns landed in UFC Welterweight division history (12) (behind Thiago Alves)
Seventh highest knockdown average per 15 minutes in UFC history (2.1)
Third highest knockdown average per 15 minutes in UFC Welterweight division history (2.1)
Tied (Robbie Lawler & Neil Magny) for fifth most knockouts in UFC Welterweight division history (7)
UFC Honors Awards
2024: Fan's Choice Debut of the Year Winner vs. Trevin Giles
UFC.com Awards
2024: Newcomer of the Year, Ranked #3 Fighter of the Year & Ranked #9 Knockout of the Year vs. Li Jingliang
2025: Ranked #3 Knockout of the Year vs. Geoff Neal
Standout Fighting Tournament
SFT Welterweight Championship (One time)
MMA Junkie
2024 Newcomer of the Year
Kickboxing
Standout Fighting Tournament
SFT Extreme Welterweight Championship (One time)