Carlos Prates has achieved multiple unprecedented records in just eight UFC fights, establishing one of the most dominant early-career runs in promotional history. He reached seven knockout victories faster than anyone in UFC history, doing so in eight fights compared to the previous record of nine held by heavyweights Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez. Out of 2,710 fighters who have competed in UFC over 33 years, only 62 (2.29%) have ever recorded seven knockouts. Prates also achieved 14 knockdowns in just 17 incomplete rounds—the fastest in UFC history and the highest average per 15 minutes of fight time. Additionally, he earned seven Performance of the Night bonuses faster than anyone, doing so in eight fights versus the average of 15 needed by other fighters. The post notes Prates has defeated two former UFC champions consecutively, both by knockout, and questions when a recent champion in peak form last lost via leg kicks. The analysis suggests that if Islam Makhachev defeats Garry, Prates, and Rakhmonov, he would equal Jon Jones' legacy, and surpassing him by also beating Topuria or Moraes would fulfill Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov's dream of Russian MMA overtaking American MMA. The post identifies Rakhmonov (20-0, 19 finishes) as the ultimate "final boss" test for Makhachev.
