Carlos Prates and Jack Wood held their first faceoff ahead of their upcoming bout, with observers noting Prates' large frame for the welterweight division. Meanwhile, Sharaputdin Gaziev currently weighs approximately 140 kg despite competing at heavyweight (120 kg limit), raising concerns about his weight cut for an event in Australia where recovery time is significantly shorter. Sean Strickland commented on why he carries a weapon, telling Francis Ngannou that he would find the reason in the mirror. Arman Tsarukyan revealed the UFC unexpectedly sent him a $42,000 bonus, though he is unsure what it was for and speculates it may be for his social media activity.
Carlos Prates and Jack Wood came face to face for the first time ahead of their scheduled welterweight bout, with onlookers taking note of the significant physical presence Prates brings to the 170-pound division. Separately, heavyweight contender Sharaputdin Gaziev's conditioning drew attention after reports surfaced that he currently weighs around 140 kg — well above the 120 kg heavyweight limit — raising questions about his ability to make weight for an upcoming event in Australia, where the compressed schedule leaves considerably less recovery time. Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan also made news after revealing the UFC sent him an unexpected $42,000 bonus, the purpose of which remains unclear to him, though he speculated it may be tied to his social media output.
Prates, ranked fifth in the welterweight division, carries a 24-7 record and stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach — a notably long frame for 170 pounds. The 32-year-old Brazilian out of Vale Top Team lands strikes at a 55 percent accuracy rate, among the better marks in the division.
Tsarukyan, 29, sits at number one in the lightweight rankings with a 23-3 record. Training out of American Top Team, the Russian is a well-rounded threat who averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands half his significant strikes.
Sean Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, also surfaced in the news cycle. The 35-year-old American, who carries a 31-7 record and stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, responded to Francis Ngannou on the subject of why he carries a weapon — telling Ngannou the answer could be found by looking in the mirror.
Why it matters
- Prates' physical dimensions could prove a meaningful factor in his welterweight matchup with Wood
- Gaziev's reported weight of 140 kg and a tight Australian event timeline make his cut a legitimate concern
- Tsarukyan's unexpected bonus adds an unusual footnote to the UFC's relationship with fighter social media presence
