Carlos Prates' nickname 'The Nightmare' has an unexpected origin unrelated to his fighting style. The moniker comes from a 2000s Brazilian children's show called 'Sítio do Picapau Amarelo' (Yellow Woodpecker Farm). A character named Pesadelo, which translates to 'Nightmare,' appeared in the show with distinctive features. Prates' friends believed he resembled this character and began calling him by that name in his personal life. The nickname eventually transitioned seamlessly from his social circle into his professional fighting career. While many assume the name reflects his aggressive fighting approach, the author notes seeing no actual resemblance between Prates and the television character despite his friends' assessment.
Carlos Prates carries one of the more menacing monikers in the UFC welterweight division, but the origin of "The Nightmare" has nothing to do with what he does inside the octagon.
According to a recent report, the nickname traces back to a Brazilian children's television series from the 2000s called "Sítio do Picapau Amarelo," which translates to "Yellow Woodpecker Farm." A character in the show named Pesadelo — Portuguese for "Nightmare" — caught the attention of Prates' friends, who decided the young Brazilian bore a resemblance to the fictional figure. The name stuck in his personal life long before it ever appeared on a fight card, eventually making the natural leap into his professional career.
Prates, now 32, is ranked fifth in the UFC welterweight division and carries a professional record of 24-7. The Brazilian, who trains out of Vale Top Team and fights out of a switch stance, stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach. His numbers inside the octagon paint a picture of a technically efficient striker, landing 3.77 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 55 percent — figures that help explain why so many assume the nickname is a nod to his fighting style rather than a childhood cartoon comparison.
The report's author noted some skepticism about the resemblance, suggesting the connection between Prates and the television character is not immediately obvious to outside observers, even if it was apparently clear enough to his friends at the time.
Why it matters
- It offers rare personal background on one of the welterweight division's rising contenders
- It illustrates how fighter nicknames often carry meanings entirely disconnected from their combat identities
- Prates' rank of fifth at 170 pounds means his profile continues to grow, making the story behind his name relevant to a widening audience
