Carlos Prates has achieved the fastest accumulation of seven knockout victories in UFC history, reaching the milestone in just eight fights. The previous record holders were heavyweights Derrick Lewis and Cain Velasquez, who needed nine fights. Prates has also recorded the fastest accumulation of 14 knockdowns in UFC history, achieving the mark in fewer than 17 full rounds, and has earned seven Performance of the Night bonuses faster than any fighter in UFC history. The post notes that Prates recently knocked out two former UFC champions, Leon Edwards and Li Jingliang, both of whom had never been knocked out before. The author argues that if Islam Makhachev defeats Ian Garry and Prates, he would equal Jon Jones in GOAT status, and if he also beats Shavkat Rakhmonov, he would surpass Jones.
Carlos Prates has etched his name into the UFC record books, becoming the fastest fighter in promotional history to accumulate seven knockout victories, achieving the milestone in just eight appearances inside the Octagon.
The Brazilian welterweight previously shared that record with heavyweights Derrick Lewis and Cain Velasquez, both of whom required nine fights to reach seven stoppages. Velasquez, now 43, finished his career at 14-3 and was a two-time UFC heavyweight champion known for relentless pressure and an elite takedown rate of 5.13 per 15 minutes during his run at the top. Prates has now left that benchmark behind despite competing in one of the UFC's deepest divisions.
The record-breaking run does not stop there. Prates has also recorded 14 knockdowns in fewer than 17 full rounds of action, the fastest anyone has reached that mark in UFC history. He has earned seven Performance of the Night bonuses faster than any fighter ever has, underlining a finishing rate that has made him one of the most dangerous men in the welterweight division.
Central to his recent surge are back-to-back stoppages of former UFC champions Leon Edwards and Li Jingliang, a particularly striking pair of victories given that neither man had ever previously been knocked out in MMA competition.
Why it matters
- Prates is now a legitimate welterweight title contender off the back of historically dominant finishing statistics
- His knockouts of two former champions who were previously knockout-proof signal a level of striking power rare at 170 pounds
- The broader conversation around Islam Makhachev's all-time legacy now runs directly through Prates, with his inclusion on any potential Makhachev schedule carrying enormous implications for how the champion is judged historically
- Shavkat Rakhmonov, ranked third at welterweight and unbeaten at 19-0, looms as another name tied to that same legacy discussion, with his 60 percent striking accuracy and undefeated record making him arguably the division's most complete threat
