In the wake of the epic collision between welterweight contenders Ian Machado Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 last Saturday, another rising star in the UFC’s 170lb rankings has revealed that he was offered the opportunity to replace Rakhmonov’s original opponent, Belal Muhammad.
Carlos Prates Moving Up in MMA Rankings
Carlos Prates has looked nothing short of sensational since his introduction to UFC fans as a contestant on Dana White’s Contender Series in August of 2023. After knocking out Mitch Ramirez to earn a UFC contract, “The Nightmare” has rattled off four succesive victories inside the Octagon with all of them coming inside the distance.
The Brazilian’s exceptional striking prowess and destructive power has helped him gatecrash the welterweight rankings following his first-round knockout win over prennial gatekeeper Neil Magny last month, and he revealed this week that he was one of the names the UFC called after “Remember the Name” had to withdraw from his first title defense against Rakhmonov.
The 31-year-old Vale Top Team representative told Submission Radio that a foot injury picked up in training meant he was forced to turn down the golden opportunity.
“Since my last fight when I fought Neil Magny” explained the Sao Paulo native, “when I stepped (foot) in Brazil, literally when I stepped (foot back) in Brazil (at) the airport, they called me and asked me to fight Shavkat. First, they asked me to fight Vicente Luque, and then like a few hours after they asked me to fight Shavkat, and I was really excited to go (to UFC 310) but my foot was so big, you know?
“Then my doctor just asked me to do some tests and things like that and then we saw my foot was broken. Even then I wanted to fight but the UFC said, ‘No, you better take some time and rest and take care of your health, your foot and then come back next year”.
What’s Next For “The Nightmare?”
All four of Carlos Prates’ UFC appearances have come in 2024 and he has impressed by stopping Trevin Giles, Charles Radtke, Li Jingliang and Magny in devastating fashion. With his last two victories in particular having come against such experienced opponents, there have been calls for the #13-ranked Brazilian to be thrust into the mix with some of the top contenders in the welterweight division.
Carlos Prates is certainly keen to get his hands on one or two of the big names at 170lbs and offered a couple of interesting suggestions as to who he should face when he returns from injury.
“It’s hard to say” he says, “because Jack Della Maddalena from Australia would (put me in) the top 5 (if I) win the fight against him. But also, a fight against Jorge Masvidal would be amazing, you know? He’s a legend, he’s a really tough guy. (It) would be really nice to get to Miami and fight him so…I don’t know. Me and my manager are talking and seeing what are (the) UFC going to bring to us and then we’re going to choose the best option”.
Another fighter who was offered the opportunity to face Shavkat Rakhmonov this past weekend is Kamaru Usman. The former welterweight champion turned down the fight due to it coming at such short notice.
“I don’t know” replied Prates when asked if it’s possible that he might face Usman next. “It would be cool fighting him, but not on my next fight. I think on the next fight, I don’t know why but I’m thinking he’s going to fight Jack Della Maddalena. I don’t know why but…I don’t know if Kamaru is really wanting to fight in Australia because it’s hard to fight in Australia bro because of the time (difference), you know?
“You go there (and) you fight in the morning so I don’t know. But I don’t think…I really want (to fight JDM) but I think Kamaru is going to fight Della Maddalena. I don’t know if it will be in Australia but I think they’re going to fight”.
