Carlos Prates' nickname 'The Nightmare' originated not from his fighting style but from a childhood comparison to a TV character. In the 2000s, a popular Brazilian children's show called 'Sítio do Picapau Amarelo' featured a character named Pesadelo, which translates to 'Nightmare.' Friends believed Prates resembled this character and nicknamed him accordingly. The nickname later transitioned seamlessly from his personal life into his fighting career. Prates is currently on an upward trajectory in his MMA career.
Carlos Prates has one of the more distinctive nicknames in the UFC welterweight division, but "The Nightmare" has roots far removed from the cage — it traces back to a beloved Brazilian children's television character from his youth.
Friends gave Prates the nickname after deciding he resembled Pesadelo, a character from the long-running Brazilian kids' show "Sítio do Picapau Amarelo," which was popular in the 2000s. Pesadelo translates directly to "Nightmare" in English. What began as a playful childhood comparison eventually followed Prates into his professional fighting career, where it has taken on a whole new meaning.
Prates, 32, competes at welterweight and currently holds the number-five ranking in the division. The Brazilian fighter out of Vale Top Team stands six-foot-one with a remarkable 78-inch reach and fights out of a switch stance. His numbers inside the octagon reflect a dangerous striker — he lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent striking accuracy rate, figures that rank among the sharper outputs at 170 pounds.
The São Paulo product carries a professional record of 24-7 and has established himself as one of the division's more credible threats to the elite tier.
Why it matters
- The story adds a human dimension to one of welterweight's rising contenders, showing the nickname predates his fighting identity entirely
- Ranked fifth at welterweight, Prates sits within range of title contention, meaning his public profile will only grow
- His combination of high striking accuracy and an unorthodox switch stance makes him a stylistically awkward challenge for anyone ranked above him
