Carlos Prates has revealed he intends to retire from MMA within three to four years, ideally before turning 40 and around age 35 or 36. He cited ongoing issues with both feet, his back, and neck as major concerns. The Brazilian contender believes he will be next in line for a title shot after Ian Garry, noting that he knocked out two former champions in his last three fights while Garry's recent wins came by decision. Prates confirmed discussions with Dana White and the UFC after his last bout, stating he is confident about fighting for the belt next and has unfinished business with Ian Garry. He also expressed interest in facing Islam Makhachev, calling it a huge opportunity given Islam's pound-for-pound ranking.
Carlos Prates has opened up about his long-term future in MMA, revealing plans to retire within the next three to four years while setting his sights firmly on welterweight gold in the near term.
The Brazilian contender, nicknamed "The Nightmare," is currently ranked fifth in the welterweight division and holds a professional record of 24-7. Prates, who is 32 years old and fights out of Vale Top Team, stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the division's most dangerous strikers, averaging 3.77 significant strikes landed per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He noted that persistent issues with both feet, his back, and his neck are part of the reason he envisions stepping away from the sport ideally around age 35 or 36, before reaching 40.
Prates made his case for a title shot by pointing to the quality of his recent opposition, specifically that he knocked out two former champions across his last three fights. He contrasted that run with Ian Garry's recent victories, which came by decision, and indicated he has unfinished business with the Irishman. Prates also confirmed he held discussions with Dana White and the UFC following his most recent bout and said he is confident a title fight is next for him.
Looking further ahead, Prates also expressed genuine interest in facing Islam Makhachev, describing it as a massive opportunity given Makhachev's pound-for-pound status. Makhachev, the 34-year-old Russian champion now competing at welterweight, carries a 28-1 record and is ranked first pound-for-pound. He averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate, presenting a stylistically distinct challenge from anyone Prates has faced.
Why it matters
- Prates at number five in the rankings is pushing for a leap to a title shot, bypassing potential interim contenders
- His knockout power against former champions strengthens his argument over decision-based recent wins from other contenders
- A potential Makhachev matchup would be one of the most compelling style clashes in the welterweight division
