Carlos Prates dismissed criticism of Neil Magny‘s performance in their UFC Vegas 100 fight, emphasizing his own knockout power and expressing excitement about his rapid rise in the rankings, potentially leading to a fight against Jack Della Maddalena.
Carlos Prates isn’t holding back when it comes to fans doubting Neil Magny’s effort. On Saturday night, Prates faced off against Magny at UFC Vegas 100, delivering a knockout blow by the end of the first round. It marked his fourth finish in 2024 and snagged him yet another performance bonus. However, not everyone was impressed.
Despite dropping Magny early, the final hit—a peculiar left hook—raised eyebrows. It clipped Magny’s temple rather than landing flush, leading some fans to question Magny’s commitment and even suggest he took a dive. But Prates isn’t entertaining such chatter.
“I think they should come here and let me give a punch on his head,” Prates remarked post-fight. “Then after they can talk.” He recalled his fight with Li Jingliang, where a similar scenario played out. “I train boxing a lot, maybe four times a week. Bro, my hand, when I punch you, no matter how or where, you’re going to get hurt.”
He elaborated on the difference between head and face shots: “On the face you get dizzy. But on the head you cut your legs and don’t feel nothing.” For those questioning Magny’s resolve, Prates had a simple suggestion: let him hit their heads first.
Magny’s track record speaks volumes. With numerous UFC divisional records under his belt, including most fights and wins in welterweight history, it’s hard to dismiss his legacy lightly. Prates acknowledges this but is more focused on his own future trajectory.
Currently ranked No. 15 in the UFC welterweight rankings, Prates has his sights set on climbing higher. He’s eyeing a fight with No. 4-ranked Jack Della Maddalena in Australia for UFC 312. “To be honest, I think the best option would be against Jack Della Maddalena,” Prates mused.
Yet, he’s aware of the ranking gap and uncertainties surrounding the matchup’s feasibility. If that doesn’t pan out, Geoff Neal could be an alternative opponent. Either way, Prates feels blessed to have come this far.
Reflecting on his journey, Prates shared, “It’s a dream… A year and a half ago I was fighting for maybe $200. Now I’m doing a lot of money.” His hard work is paying off in ways he once only imagined—and he’s savoring every moment of it.