The new main event in Kansas City carries massive implications in the welterweight division, as Ian Machado Garry takes on Carlos Prates.
Ireland’s Machado Garry competes off a loss for the first time in his career, having landed on the wrong side of the scorecards in his battle with fellow unbeaten Shavkat Rakhmonov last December. The talented 27-year-old is 15-1 overall, and has shown a deft ability to shine in all phases, and a willingness to follow whatever path will lead him to victory.
Last year’s top newcomer, Prates went 4-0 in 2024, closing out his rookie campaign with a first-round stoppage win over Neil Magny that carried him into the rankings. A graduate of Dana White’s Contender Series, Prates sports an 11-fight winning streak, with each of his last 10 victories coming inside the distance.
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Originally slated to face Geoff Neal at UFC 314, Prates now gets the opportunity to force his way into the title conversation if he’s able to hand Machado Garry a second consecutive defeat. As for “The Future,” he has the chance to immediately affirm his place in the pecking order by turning back the streaking Fighting Nerds representative.
This is a fascinating matchup that will have an immediate impact on the landscape of the 170-pound weight class, regardless of who is victorious, and is a tremendous way to close out the action in April inside the Octagon.
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