Carlos Prates has achieved the fastest accumulation of seven knockout victories in UFC history, doing so in just eight fights. The previous record holders were heavyweights Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez, who needed nine fights. Only 62 fighters out of 2,710 in UFC's 33-year history have reached seven knockouts, representing just 2.29%. Prates also set records for fastest 14 knockdowns in 17 rounds and earning seven Performance of the Night bonuses in the fewest fights. The post suggests that if Islam Makhachev defeats Garry, Prates, and Shavkat Rakhmonov, he would rival or surpass Jon Jones's legacy.
Carlos Prates has etched his name into UFC history by recording seven knockout victories faster than any fighter in the promotion's 33-year existence, accomplishing the feat in just eight fights.
The welterweight finisher reached the milestone in fewer bouts than any of the 62 fighters across 2,710 UFC athletes who have managed seven knockouts — a group that represents just 2.29 percent of everyone who has competed in the organization. The records do not stop there. Prates also set the mark for the fastest accumulation of 14 knockdowns, doing so across 17 rounds, and has collected seven Performance of the Night bonuses in fewer fights than any other recipient in UFC history.
The previous benchmark for seven UFC knockouts belonged to two heavyweight legends. Cain Velasquez, now 43, finished his UFC career with a 14-3 record and was a relentless pressure fighter who averaged 6.37 significant strikes per minute with a takedown rate of 5.13 per 15 minutes. Junior dos Santos, the other former record holder, also required nine fights to reach the same plateau. Both men needed one more fight than Prates to get there.
Why it matters
- Prates now stands alone in UFC history for knockout efficiency across the first stretch of a career, outpacing even the most celebrated heavyweight finishers.
- The record adds significant weight to his welterweight ranking and builds a case for a title shot in a stacked 170-pound division that includes the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov, ranked third at welterweight with a perfect 19-0 record and a 60 percent striking accuracy.
- Should Islam Makhachev work through a gauntlet that includes Rakhmonov and Prates, the conversation around his legacy relative to Jon Jones — who holds a 28-1 record and boasts an 84-inch reach — would intensify considerably.
