Matt Brown stated he would be happy if Carlos Prates breaks his record for most knockouts in UFC welterweight history. Brown currently holds the record with 13 knockouts, while Prates has seven. Brown revealed that he has personally interacted with Prates, who asked to take a photo and mentioned being a big fan who watched Brown's instructional DVDs and learned techniques from them. Brown praised Prates's recent performance against an opponent referred to as Jack as "phenomenal," but noted that Prates's upcoming fight against Islam represents a completely different level of competition. The veteran fighter expressed genuine admiration for the Brazilian prospect and seems supportive of his rise in the division.
Matt Brown says he would have no problem watching Carlos Prates chase down his UFC welterweight knockout record, offering a rare and genuine endorsement of a younger fighter closing in on his legacy.
Brown, nicknamed "The Immortal," currently holds the record for the most knockouts in UFC welterweight history with 13. The 45-year-old American carries a 26-19-0 professional record and has spent years as one of the division's most prolific finishers, landing 3.76 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy across his career. He fights out of his own Immortal Fight Team and has long been considered one of the hardest-hitting welterweights to ever compete in the octagon.
Prates, the ranked number-five welterweight from Brazil, has built seven UFC knockouts so far and is clearly on an upward trajectory. The 32-year-old southpaw-turned-switch hitter stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and trains out of Vale Top Team. He mirrors Brown almost identically in striking output, landing 3.77 significant strikes per minute at the same 55 percent accuracy rate. Brown revealed that the two have crossed paths personally, with Prates asking for a photo and telling Brown he grew up watching his instructional DVDs and learned techniques from them. Brown described Prates's recent performance against an opponent he referred to as Jack as phenomenal.
However, Brown was also candid about what lies ahead. He noted that Prates's upcoming fight against Islam represents a significant step up in competition, a different level entirely from anything Prates has faced so far.
Why it matters
- Brown's record of 13 welterweight knockouts is one of the most storied marks in UFC history, and Prates at seven is still a considerable distance away
- A strong performance in his next fight would push Prates further up the divisional rankings and closer to title contention
- The style matchup in Prates's upcoming bout will test whether his finishing power translates against elite-level opposition
