Carlos Prates has achieved multiple historic UFC records in just eight fights. He became the fastest fighter in UFC history to earn seven knockout victories, accomplishing the feat in eight bouts—faster than heavyweights like Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez who needed nine. Out of 2,710 fighters who have competed in the UFC over 33 years, only 62 have achieved seven knockouts total, making this just 2.29% of the roster. Prates also set the record for fastest to 14 knockdowns, achieving it in just 17 incomplete rounds, giving him the highest average knockdown rate per 15 minutes in UFC history. Additionally, he earned seven Performance of the Night bonuses faster than anyone, doing so in eight fights compared to the average of 15 fights needed by other fighters. The post notes that Prates has knocked out two former UFC champions who had never been knocked out before.
Carlos Prates has etched his name into the UFC record books across multiple categories, cementing a historic run through just eight promotional appearances.
The Brazilian welterweight, known as "The Nightmare," carries a 24-7 professional record and currently sits fifth in the welterweight divisional rankings. At 32 years old, the six-foot-one Vale Top Team product has become one of the most dangerous finishers in the sport's history, landing significant strikes at a rate of 3.77 per minute with 55 percent accuracy — numbers that underscore how efficiently he operates in the pocket.
Prates reached seven UFC knockout victories faster than any fighter in company history, accomplishing the feat in eight bouts. To put that in context, celebrated heavyweights Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez — both elite finishers in their own right — required nine fights each to reach that same mark. Across 33 years of UFC competition and more than 2,700 fighters on the roster, only 62 have ever recorded seven knockouts total, representing just 2.29 percent of everyone who has competed in the promotion.
The records do not stop there. Prates also set the mark for reaching 14 career knockdowns in the fewest rounds, doing so across just 17 incomplete frames — the highest average knockdown rate per 15 minutes in UFC history. He has also collected seven Performance of the Night bonuses in eight fights, a pace roughly half the UFC average of 15 fights needed to reach that bonus total.
Why it matters
- Prates has knocked out two former UFC champions who had never previously been stopped, underlining the elite level of his finishes
- His bonus rate and knockdown average suggest an ability to end fights at almost any moment, making him a matchmaker's headache at 170 pounds
- Ranked fifth at welterweight, continued momentum in this vein positions him as a legitimate title conversation piece in a loaded division
