Carlos Prates has set the UFC record for fastest accumulation of seven knockout victories, achieving this in just eight fights. He also recorded 14 knockdowns in only 17 incomplete rounds, the highest average knockdown rate per 15 minutes in UFC history. Additionally, Prates earned seven Performance of the Night bonuses faster than any fighter in history, accomplishing in eight fights what typically takes 15 fights. The post notes he consecutively knocked out two former UFC champions who had never been knocked out before, including a rare finish via leg kicks. The analyst suggests that if Islam Makhachev defeats Ian Garry and Prates, plus potentially Shavkat Rakhmonov, he would equal or surpass Jon Jones's legacy.
Carlos Prates has etched his name into UFC history across multiple statistical categories, cementing his reputation as one of the most destructive finishers the promotion has ever seen.
The Brazilian welterweight, known as "The Nightmare," holds a professional record of 24-7 and is currently ranked fifth in the 185-pound division. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, the 32-year-old switch-hitter from Vale Top Team reached seven knockout victories faster than any fighter in UFC history, accomplishing the feat in just eight fights. He has also recorded 14 knockdowns across only 17 incomplete rounds, giving him the highest average knockdown rate per 15 minutes in UFC history. On top of that, Prates claimed seven Performance of the Night bonuses in eight appearances — a milestone that typically takes fighters around 15 bouts to reach. Among his finishes were two consecutive knockouts of former UFC champions who had never previously been stopped, one of which came via leg kicks, a rare and striking method of finish at championship level.
The statistical conversation extends beyond Prates. Islam Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion, enters the picture as the fighter whose legacy is being measured against those achievements. The Russian southpaw carries a 28-1 record and holds the pound-for-pound top ranking. At 34 years old and training out of Eagles MMA, Makhachev averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands significant strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate. One analyst has argued that if Makhachev were to defeat Ian Garry, Prates, and potentially third-ranked Shavkat Rakhmonov — the undefeated Kazakh known as "Nomad" who brings a perfect 19-0 record and a 60 percent striking accuracy into every fight — it would place Makhachev's body of work on par with or ahead of Jon Jones's historical standing.
Why it matters
- Prates's record-breaking knockout and knockdown rates make him a uniquely dangerous opponent for any welterweight, including the champion
- Rakhmonov's unbeaten record and elite accuracy add another layer of difficulty to any potential Makhachev run through the division
- The framing around Makhachev's legacy puts extraordinary pressure on his upcoming matchups and raises the stakes of the entire welterweight landscape
