Two-division GLORY champion Chico Kwasi and UFC top contender Carlos Prates faced off. Kwasi is a kickboxing champion while Prates is rising through the UFC middleweight ranks.
Carlos Prates, the fifth-ranked UFC welterweight, came face to face with two-division GLORY kickboxing champion Chico Kwasi at a media event on May 31, 2026.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," carries a professional record of 24 wins and 7 losses and competes out of Vale Top Team in Brazil. The 32-year-old switch-stance striker stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and has been carving out a reputation as one of the welterweight division's most dangerous finishers. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 55 percent, numbers that reflect a measured and precise approach on the feet.
Kwasi arrives from the GLORY kickboxing circuit, where he has claimed titles in two separate weight classes, establishing himself as one of the premier stand-up fighters in combat sports outside of MMA.
Why it matters
- Prates sits fifth in the UFC welterweight rankings, meaning another strong performance could push him into title contention
- A matchup between a decorated kickboxing champion and a top-ranked UFC contender carries significant cross-promotional intrigue
- Both fighters are known for their striking ability, making any potential clash a stylistically compelling contest on the feet
- The face-off signals that discussions or negotiations between the two camps may be progressing
