Carlos Prates has secured 7 knockout victories in his 8 UFC fights, using four different striking techniques: punches, low kicks, spinning elbows, and knees. He has also earned Performance of the Night bonuses in 7 of his 8 UFC appearances, which the post describes as extraordinary. This diverse finishing ability and consistent bonus-worthy performances highlight Prates' elite striking skills and entertainment value. His ability to finish fights in multiple ways makes him a particularly dangerous opponent in the welterweight division.
Carlos Prates has built one of the most striking-diverse resumes in the welterweight division, recording seven knockout victories across his eight UFC appearances using four distinct finishing methods: punches, low kicks, spinning elbows, and knees.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," carries a professional record of 24-7-0 and currently sits at number five in the welterweight rankings. The 32-year-old Brazilian trains out of Vale Top Team and brings a rare blend of physical tools to the cage, standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and competing out of a switch stance that allows him to attack from multiple angles. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate, numbers that reflect both his volume and his precision.
What separates Prates from most finishers is the variety of weapons he uses to close out fights. Where many knockout artists rely on a single signature technique, he has demonstrated the ability to end bouts with orthodox punching combinations, debilitating low kicks, unorthodox spinning elbows, and thudding knees. That breadth makes him exceptionally difficult to prepare for.
Why it matters
- Seven Performance of the Night bonuses in eight UFC outings is an extraordinary rate of bonus-earning, signaling consistent elite-level entertainment value.
- Four different striking techniques used to score knockouts makes Prates among the most unpredictable finishers in the 170-pound division.
- Ranked fifth at welterweight, his finishing versatility positions him as a genuine threat to any fighter above him in the divisional standings.
- His near-zero submission attempt rate confirms the stand-up game is his complete identity, giving opponents a clear but still dangerous blueprint to prepare against.
