Carlos Prates has taken the UFC welterweight division by storm with four consecutive knockout wins since his 2024 debut. Nicknamed “The Nightmare,” the Brazilian striker combines Muay Thai precision with raw power, earning Performance of the Night bonuses in every UFC appearance.
As he prepares to headline UFC Fight Night 66 against Ian Machado Garry, fans are curious about his earnings, contracts, and life outside the Octagon. Prates remains grounded despite his success, stating, “The main purpose of the money I make is to help everyone who has helped me get to where I am.”
Carlos Prates’ Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carlos Prates |
| Date of Birth | August 17, 1993 |
| Age (2025) | 31 years old |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 6’0” (183 cm) |
| Weight | Welterweight (170 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 2012 |
| Net Worth | $700,000 |
| Salary | $250,000 base purse (UFC on ESPN 66) |
| Relationship Status | Girlfriend |
| Children | 1 daughter (lives in Australia) |
| @thenightmare_170 |
Early Career
Carlos Prates began martial arts at 15 when his mother enrolled him at Vale Top Team gym in Taubaté, Brazil, to steer him away from a troubled youth marked by smoking and poor decisions. His early MMA career (2012–2016) struggled with inconsistency, posting a 5-4 record due to competing in unsuitable weight classes and lacking discipline. After four losses, he moved to Thailand for six years, immersing himself in Muay Thai and kickboxing.
There, he fought 103 times across Asia, including 25 bouts in a single year, balancing competitions in Thailand, China, and Malaysia while adapting to local fight cultures. This grueling period sharpened his striking precision and resilience, earning titles like the Bangla Stadium (Thailand) and Glory of Heroes (China) championships.
Returning to MMA in 2016, he joined ONE Championship’s Warrior Series and later dominated regional circuits, including a rear-naked choke victory at Full Metal Dojo 8 in Thailand. By 2023, Prates refined his style into a 90% finish rate in leagues like LFA, setting the stage for his UFC breakthrough.
Professional Career
Carlos Prates’ professional career is a testament to resilience and explosive striking prowess. After earning a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2023 with a second-round TKO of Mitch Ramirez, Prates debuted in the UFC on February 10, 2024, against Trevin Giles. He announced his arrival with a second-round knockout, securing his first Performance of the Night bonus.
This set the tone for a breakout year, as he followed up with three more highlight-reel finishes. At UFC on ESPN 57 in June 2024, he flattened Charles Radtke with a first-round knee to the liver, marking his second consecutive bonus. His August 2024 showdown with Li Jingliang at UFC 305 in Perth saw him drop the Chinese veteran twice before a left hook ended the fight in Round 2, earning his third straight bonus.
Prates capped 2024 by headlining UFC Fight Night 247 against Neil Magny. Despite Magny’s takedown attempts, Prates defended all seven shots and finished the veteran with a knockout at 4:50 of Round 1. This victory extended his win streak to 11 fights (dating back to 2019) and bagged his fourth Performance of the Night award.
Scheduled to face Geoff Neal at UFC 314 in April 2025, Prates pivoted to a main event slot against #7-ranked Ian Machado Garry at UFC on ESPN 66 after Neal withdrew. Training alongside Caio Borralho at São Paulo’s Fighting Nerds Combat Club, Prates blends Muay Thai precision (honed through 100+ fights in Thailand) with a BJJ black belt, making him a dual threat in the welterweight division.
His professional record (21-6 with 16 KOs) reflects a 76% knockout rate, the highest among active UFC welterweights. Prates’ ability to adapt-from early career struggles (5-4 record pre-2016) to becoming a ranked contender-underscores his evolution.
Nicknamed “The Nightmare” due to promoters struggling to find him opponents in Brazil, Prates now eyes title contention, stating, “I’m here to fight anyone, anytime.” With four UFC wins in 10 months, he’s positioned as one of the division’s most dangerous strikers heading into his April 26, 2025, clash with Garry.
Carlos Prates’ Net Worth Details
Carlos Prates’ net worth is estimated to be $700,000 as of 2025.
Contract
Carlos Prates signed a six-fight main event contract with the UFC in January 2025 after his fourth straight knockout victory. The deal guarantees him a $250,000 base purse per fight, with $100,000 win bonuses and eligibility for $50,000 Performance of the Night incentives.
It includes injury protection clauses and a title shot clause: if Prates cracks the UFC’s welterweight top 5 by late 2025, he gets a guaranteed championship eliminator bout. His manager, Bruno Lopes, revealed the contract also allows Prates to compete in regional Muay Thai events outside UFC fight camps.
Fight Purses
| Year | Opponent | Base Purse | Win Bonus | Performance Bonus | Total Earnings | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Trevin Giles | $12,000 | $12,000 | $50,000 | $74,000 | UFC Fight Night 236 |
| 2024 | Charles Radtke | $24,000 | $24,000 | $50,000 | $98,000 | UFC on ESPN 57 |
| 2024 | Li Jingliang | $30,000 | $30,000 | $50,000 | $110,000 | UFC 305 |
| 2024 | Neil Magny | $350,000 | – | $50,000 | $400,000 | UFC Fight Night 247 |
| 2025 | Ian Machado Garry | $250,000 | – | TBD | $250,000+ | UFC on ESPN 66 |
Endorsements
Carlos Prates partners with Maximum Boxing for custom fight gear and apparel, featuring his signature scorpion logo. He also promotes Vitality Nutrition, a Brazilian supplement brand providing pre-workout stacks tailored to his training.
In 2025, he collaborated with Fight for the Future, a charity auctioning his UFC 305 fight-worn gloves to fund youth MMA programs in São Paulo. While his sponsorships remain modest compared to UFC stars like Conor McGregor, Prates prioritizes local partnerships, stating, “I want to work with people who believed in me before the UFC cameras did.”
Career Stats
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 27 |
| Wins | 21 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Wins by Knockout (KO/TKO) | 16 |
| Wins by Submission | 3 |
| Wins by Decision | 2 |
| Losses by Knockout (KO/TKO) | 2 |
| Losses by Submission | 3 |
| Losses by Decision | 1 |
| Significant Strikes Landed/Min | 4.39 |
| Significant Striking Accuracy | 57% |
| Significant Strikes Absorbed/Min | 4.60 |
| Significant Strike Defense | 48% |
| Average Takedowns Landed/15 Min | 0.44 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 100% |
| Takedown Defense | 91% |
| Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) |
| Reach | 78 in (198 cm) |
| Stance | Switch |
| Date of Birth | August 17, 1993 (Age 31) |
FAQs
1. Who is Carlos Prates and what is his background?
Carlos Prates is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai fighter, born on August 17, 1993, in Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil. He began training in martial arts as a teenager and currently competes in the UFC welterweight division.
2. What is Carlos Prates’ fighting style and what makes him unique?
Carlos Prates is known for his Muay Thai striking, southpaw stance, and knockout power. He has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is recognized for his ability to finish fights, with most of his wins coming by knockout.
3. What are Carlos Prates’ notable achievements in MMA?
Prates has held titles such as Bangla Stadium Champion in Thailand, Glory of Heroes Champion in China, and SFT Champion in Brazil. In the UFC, he has consistently earned Performance of the Night bonuses for his knockout victories.
4. What is Carlos Prates’ professional MMA record?
Carlos Prates has a professional MMA record of 21 wins and 6 losses. He is on an 11-fight winning streak, with many of his victories coming by knockout or submission.
5. How did Carlos Prates start his MMA career?
Carlos Prates made his professional MMA debut in 2012. He initially faced challenges with discipline and weight class but improved after moving to Thailand to focus on Muay Thai, later returning to MMA with greater success.
6. What is Carlos Prates’ connection to Thailand?
After early setbacks in his MMA career, Prates moved to Thailand to train and compete in Muay Thai. He lived there for six years, fighting frequently and gaining valuable experience that shaped his fighting style.
7. What is known about Carlos Prates’ family and personal life?
Carlos Prates was raised by a single mother in Brazil. He has a daughter who lives in Australia, and he is known to be a dedicated father. He values his family and fighting team, considering them major sources of support.
8. What team does Carlos Prates train with?
Prates trains with Vale Top Team and the Fighting Nerds, both based in Brazil. These teams have played a significant role in his development and recent success in the UFC.
9. What is Carlos Prates’ physical profile?
Carlos Prates stands 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighs around 170 pounds, and has a reach of 78 inches. His athletic build and reach give him advantages in striking exchanges in the welterweight division.
10. What are Carlos Prates’ goals in the UFC?
Carlos Prates aims to become a UFC champion in the welterweight division. He is focused on maintaining his winning streak, improving his skills, and eventually earning a title shot as he continues to rise in the rankings.
