Carlos Prates, known as “The Nightmare”, is one of the most resounding names in the UFC octagon in recent years. Born in Taubaté, in the interior of São Paulo, this 32-year-old fighter has turned every bout into a spectacle of controlled violence and technical mastery. With an impressive record in Muay Thai and MMA, Prates embodies the essence of Brazilian sport: grit, resilience, and a natural gift for knockouts. In November 2025, as the mixed martial arts world anxiously awaits his clash with former champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322, it’s time to dive into the journey of this phenomenon who rose from the streets of São Paulo to challenge the giants of the welterweight division.
Childhood and First Steps in Combat Sports
Carlos Prates’ story begins far from the spotlight, in a humble family in Taubaté. Raised by a single mother, he grew up in an environment where daily effort was the norm. From an early age, young Carlos displayed boundless energy, initially channeled into street soccer and rough play. At 14, however, a chance encounter with Muay Thai changed everything. Enrolled at the Vale Top Team gym in his hometown, Prates found in the ring a way to discipline his natural aggression.
The early training was grueling. Muay Thai—with its high kicks and razor-sharp knees—demanded not only strength but mental endurance. Prates has shared in interviews that the first months were filled with sweat and frustration, but his mother’s dedication and the support of his coaches kept him on track. By 17, he was already competing in local tournaments, racking up wins that fueled bigger dreams. This Muay Thai foundation would become the bedrock of his later MMA career, where his legs and knee strikes became lethal weapons.
In 2012, at just 19, Prates made the leap to professional MMA. His debut was promising: a first-round knockout. Yet the early years were a rollercoaster. With a 5-4 record in his first nine fights, he faced defeats that made him question his path. Competing in unsuitable weight classes and lacking professional structure, Prates nearly walked away from the sport. Then came the turning point: a season in Thailand, the mecca of Muay Thai, where he honed his striking against battle-hardened Thai fighters and returned to Brazil in 2016 with a renewed mindset.
The Muay Thai Era: Forging the Nightmare
Before solidifying himself in MMA, Prates shone in Muay Thai and kickboxing, amassing a 29-5 record. This phase, from 2016 to 2021, was crucial in shaping his unique style: a southpaw standing 6’1″ (1.85 m) with a 78-inch (198 cm) reach, who uses body knees as his signature. His 14 knockouts in Muay Thai were no fluke—they were the result of countless sparring hours in Phuket against Thailand’s toughest.
Standouts from this era include a unanimous decision win over Wu Sihan in China in 2018 and a second-round knockout of Jacob Ginter the same year. In 2018, he also finished Chen Zijun with a body knee in the first round—a strike that became his trademark. Not every fight was easy: decision losses to Dave Leduc and Dmitry Menshikov taught him humility, but subsequent wins—like a split decision over Jiao Fukai in 2019 and a fifth-round knockout of Dengue Silva in 2021—culminated in capturing the SFT Xtreme welterweight belt.
This striking pedigree set him apart from many Brazilian peers, who leaned heavily on jiu-jitsu. A black belt in the gentle art, Prates balances ground play with rock-solid takedown defense—skills sharpened at Fighting Nerds in São Paulo. His return to MMA in 2016 sparked a win streak that carried him to Asian promotions like Chin Woo Men and Full Metal Dojo, pushing his record to 15-6 by 2023.
Triumphant UFC Entry: From Contender to Star
The UFC dream became reality in 2023 on Dana White’s Contender Series Season 7. Facing Mitch Ramirez in Week 4, Prates delivered a second-round knockout that earned him a contract. “That was the moment I knew it was all worth it,” he later said. His official debut came in February 2024 at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Pyfer against Trevin Giles. A second-round knockout earned Performance of the Night, signaling a new predator had arrived.
The early UFC run was dominant. In June 2024 at UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov, Prates dispatched Charles Radtke with a first-round body knee—another Performance of the Night. August brought UFC 305, where he faced veteran Li Jingliang. Two knockdowns followed by a left hook in the second round marked Jingliang’s first career KO loss, securing Prates’ third consecutive bonus. At 31, he was already seen as the future of the welterweight division.
In November 2024, he headlined UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates. Against seasoned grappler Neil Magny, Prates stuffed all seven takedown attempts and finished with a first-round knockout—his fourth straight bonus. His UFC record? A perfect 4-0 with 4 performances. Stats were staggering: 3.82 significant strikes per minute, 54% accuracy, and 48% strike defense. In 2024, awards poured in: MMA Junkie Newcomer of the Year, MMA Fighting Rookie of the Year, and inclusion in MMA Fighting’s All-Star Team as one of the most violent fighters.
Challenges and Achievements in 2025: The Year of Consolidation
2025 brought real tests. A scheduled April fight against Geoff Neal at UFC 314 was canceled due to Neal’s injury but rescheduled for August at UFC 319. There, Prates dazzled with a first-round spinning back elbow—his fifth Performance of the Night. However, the April main event against Ian Machado Garry at UFC on ESPN 66 snapped his streak: a unanimous decision loss after five grueling rounds. “A wrestling lesson,” Prates admitted, using the break to sharpen his takedown defense.
With a 22-7 pro MMA record (17 KOs, 3 submissions, 2 decisions), Prates climbed to #9 in the welterweight rankings by August 2025. His disclosed pay exceeds $250,000, but legacy drives him. Training in Taubaté with Vale Top Team, he balances intense camps with family—married with two children who inspire him to be a model of perseverance.
The Ultimate Challenge: Prates vs. Edwards at UFC 322
Today, November 15, 2025, the world stops for UFC 322 in New York. Carlos Prates faces Leon Edwards, former welterweight champion, at **Madison Square Garden **. Edwards, with his precise striking and kickboxing background, is the ultimate test. Prates, confident, predicts a knockout that will put him in the title picture in 2026. *”Edwards is elite, but I’m the nightmare he doesn’t expect,”* he declared in a recent press conference.
Analysts are split: Prates’ reach could neutralize Edwards’ boxing, but the Brit’s five-round experience is a factor. A win would make Prates the #1 contender, possibly setting up a super fight with current champion Islam Makhachev. Win or lose, this fight marks Prates’ maturity: from newcomer to main event star.
Personal Life and Legacy Beyond the Octagon
Outside the cage, Prates is grounded. A Corinthians fan, he uses his 680,000+ Instagram followers to motivate youth from communities like his own. Partnerships with brands like Full Violence and Maximum reflect his aggressive style, but he prioritizes philanthropy: donations to Taubaté gyms and talks on discipline.
His training is holistic: daily Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu focused on escapes, and strength conditioning. Injuries? He overcame a 2023 foot fracture, returning stronger. Prates dreams of the belt but also of inspiring the next Brazilian MMA generation alongside idols like Anderson Silva.
Conclusion: The Bright Future of The Nightmare
Carlos Prates is more than a fighter—he’s a symbol of Brazilian resilience. From Taubaté to the UFC summit, his journey of overcoming, with 17 knockouts that terrorize opponents, positions him as a dominant force. As the bell rings for Edwards tonight, the world watches a new chapter in The Nightmare’s saga. Victory or lesson, Prates will keep evolving, proving that talent paired with grit builds legends. In the octagon or in life, he reminds us: face your fear, and you become someone else’s nightmare.
