Carlos Prates has achieved the fastest accumulation of seven knockouts in UFC history, reaching the milestone in just 8 fights compared to 9 fights for heavyweights Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez. Out of 2,710 fighters who have competed in UFC over 33 years, only 62 have ever reached seven knockouts, making it a rare achievement. Prates also recorded 14 knockdowns in just 17 incomplete rounds, the fastest in UFC history, and earned 7 Performance of the Night bonuses in 8 fights while other fighters average 15 fights to reach that mark. He has knocked out two former UFC champions, Leon Edwards and Li Jingliang, both of whom had never been knocked out before. The analysis suggests Prates is experiencing one of the top three most impressive 8-fight runs in UFC history and could become a historic challenge for Islam Makhachev.
Carlos Prates has carved his name into the UFC record books, setting multiple knockout milestones across just eight appearances in the promotion.
The Brazilian welterweight reached seven knockouts in the UFC faster than any fighter in the organization's 33-year history, doing so in eight fights. That surpasses the previous benchmark set by two heavyweight legends — Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez, who each reached the mark in nine fights. Velasquez, now 43 and holding a career record of 14-3, was one of the most physically dominant heavyweights of his era, making Prates' cross-divisional comparison all the more striking. Out of 2,710 fighters to have competed in the UFC, only 62 have ever recorded seven knockouts, underscoring just how rare the achievement is.
Prates has also logged 14 knockdowns in just 17 incomplete rounds, another record for the fastest accumulation in UFC history. His finishing ability has translated directly into hardware: he has earned seven Performance of the Night bonuses in eight fights, a rate that dwarfs the promotion-wide average of roughly one bonus per 15 fights.
Among his victims are two former UFC champions — Leon Edwards and Li Jingliang — neither of whom had been knocked out before facing Prates.
Why it matters
- Prates is making a case for one of the three most impressive eight-fight runs in UFC history, according to the analysis
- His knockout volume and finishing speed position him as a rare breed in a welterweight division currently topped by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who holds a 28-1 record and carries the top pound-for-pound ranking
- Should Prates eventually challenge Makhachev, his record-setting power would represent a historically significant stylistic test for a champion who averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and relies heavily on grappling control
