Carlos Prates’ Rise After Knocking Out Neil Magny
Carlos Prates turned the career-defining opportunity this preview anticipated into a first-round knockout of Neil Magny. Since then, his rise has included a close decision loss to Ian Machado Garry and statement stoppages of Geoff Neal, Leon Edwards, and Jack Della Maddalena. His May 2026 win over the former champion strengthened his case among the welterweight division’s leading contenders.
Magny bout delivered the main-event breakthrough
The question was answered quickly: Prates landed a left hand that ended the fight at 4:50 of the first round on November 9, 2024. The official event report recorded the knockout and gave the Brazilian his first headline win with the promotion.
Garry exposed the value of a five-round test
Prates’ next major test came against Ian Machado Garry in April 2025. Garry won a unanimous decision, with scorecards of 48–47, 48–47 and 49–46. Prates had his moments, but the five-round bout showed how a high-level opponent could make him work through a full main event. The official scorecards preserve the judges’ narrow margins.
Three knockouts restored his momentum
Prates answered the setback with a spinning back-elbow knockout of Geoff Neal at 4:59 of round one in August 2025. Three months later, he stopped former champion Leon Edwards with a left hand at 1:28 of the second round. The Neal result and Edwards result established a sharp rebound and pushed Prates into the title conversation.
Della Maddalena win became his strongest statement
On May 2, 2026, Prates met Jack Della Maddalena in Perth and won by third-round TKO at 3:17. The official results described a finish that followed sustained striking pressure against the former champion. The performance capped three straight knockout wins after the Garry decision, extending Prates’ rise through the division.
