Carlos Prates has been smoking, figuratively and literally, in the past six years. The UFC welterweight, one of the stars of the popular Fighting Nerds team, entered Saturday’s bout with Ian Machado Garry on an 11-fight winning streak.
The last 10 of those wins were by finish.
Already regarded as one of MMA’s best defensive fighters, Machado Garry easily snuffed out Prates’ offense like a cigarette that Prates had absent-mindedly tossed onto the ground.
He won a unanimous decision by scores of 48-47 twice and 49-46.
Prates, a big-punching KO artist, didn’t make things interesting until the final 90 seconds, when he hurt and briefly threatened Machado Garry.
“That man hits like a truck,” Machado Garry said in praise of his vanquished opponent.
Machado Garry took the fight on less than a month’s notice, the second fight in a row he’s done that. In December, he stepped in on three weeks’ notice to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov, who at that point was 18-0 with 18 finishes.
Machado Garry lost a close decision that night, but he made Rakhmonov look less like the boogeyman and more human than anyone had ever done previously.
That was essentially what he did to Prates on Saturday. Prates had been one of the hottest names in the sport, but Machado Garry landed exactly twice as many significant strikes, took him down four times, made Prates chase and was generally in command of how and where the fight was contested.
By the end of the second round, Prates was in desperation mode. Machado Garry had a 49-12 edge in significant strikes after 10 minutes and Prates couldn’t close the distance.
Machado Garry either popped him with a stiff jab or circled away and didn’t allow Prates to get untracked.
He let the air out of the tires, and while it’s not going to remind anyone of Justin Gaethje stylistically, it’s hard to argue with his effectiveness.
Prates appeared to hurt Machado Garry, who was on the ground, bleeding, and grabbing at Prates’ leg, with just over a minute left.
Prates landed some shots, but Machado Garry stayed composed, limiting one of the sport’s best finishers and denying him a chance to close.
“I was not hurt enough to not know where I was,” Machado Garry said. “I was conscious of every moment. I know how dangerous Carlos is and I have much respect for him and his team. … But I was completely in control. I just wanted to be smart and safe and not do something stupid, because that happens in these fights.”
Machado Garry had little to win and much to lose. He was ranked seventh heading into the bout, five spots ahead of Prates, a dangerous striker with a point to prove.
He’d said before the fight he felt he’d deserve a title shot if he beat Prates and improved to 16-1.
Well, the welterweight title will be contested at UFC 315 on May 15 in Montreal, when champion Belal Muhammad defends against No. 5 Jack Della Maddalena.
Machado Garry said he’s going to Montreal to serve as the back-up fighter, in case either Muhammad or Della Maddalena falls out.
UFC CEO Dana White couldn’t be reached to confirm that, and it would seem to be difficult to compete again in two weeks after a five-rounder against a heavy hitter like Prates.
Machado Garry is on a mission, though, so it would hardly be shocking to see him cageside in Canada.
“My entire goal in this game is to prove that I’m one of the most game fighters that’s ever existed,” he said. “I’ve got the fine Irish in my blood, in my cells and in my history.”
Since his UFC debut in 2021, Machado Garry has not been shy about his talent and his plans. He’s told anyone who would listen that he is different.After taking apart an elite striker on Saturday, he made a big statement to back up the bold talk.
We’ll see if he’s in Montreal, but it’s not really germane. He made his point against Prates in Kansas City.
If he keeps fighting like he did Saturday, it won't be long before Ian Machado Garry has a title shot of his own.
William Purnell/Imagn Images
Ian Machado Garry (L) and Carlos Prates battle Saturday in Kansas City.