The most important event in Kansas City saw one of the most exciting contenders of the Welterweight Division its first defeat in the Octagon.
Carlos Prates was a breakout star for the UFC in 2024 after he achieved four consecutive knockout wins to rise the 170 pound pecking order.
In his second main event, Prates watched the criticism of Ian Machado Garry who had labeled him a pick -up based on images of one of his old fights.
'The Nightmare' certainly did not give up, but he also did not come over with Machado Garry who defeated Prates through a unanimous decision at the end of five rounds.
His stock certainly took a hit after many fans wondered why he didn't push harder to try to end the fight in the final moments after he had hit his opponent.
Carlos Prates reflects on his first UFC loss in Kansas City in a statement of social media
In the four battles we had seen from Carlos Prates in the Octagon before his outing in Kansas City, it was clear that the Brazilian was incredibly dangerous in the fight.
His explosive force would be his key to victory against Ian Machado Garry, but he could not find a home in the opening rounds.
Instead, it was the Irishman who dominated the first three rounds and won the score cards on all three before Prates had a late revival to try to turn the tables.
'The Nightmare' needed a finish to go into the fifth round and he apparently came close to producing a remarkable comeback in the last minutes, but Machado Garry did enough to survive.
Some fans were critical of prates because she left his opponent off the hook while he left 'the future' again at his feet and no longer threw strikes when the clock started running.
His second main event was certainly an experience that the 31-year-old will learn from the future and he echoed that sentiment in his first social media post after the defeat.
Prates wrote a short message about his Instagram story where he thought that he was not able to put Machado Garry.
“Unfortunately I couldn't end the fight and that wasn't enough. Sorry family, I'm coming back stronger!”
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Carlos Prates must return to his originally planned opponent
The momentum of Carlos Prates may be delayed in Kansas City, but there is a fight that he was originally planned to help bring this back.
He was short of one of the best contenders in the division, but the Fighting Nerds -athlete is so popular with such an exciting style that he will certainly get a big matchup.
Before he had a big chance to tackle Ian Machado Garry, Prates was booked to face the #10-ranged Geoff Neal on UFC 314 and no one will be annoyed about seeing them again.
We learned a lot about Prates after he first went the distance, but he still becomes a must-watch name at 170 pounds if he can bounce back.