The Combating Nerds have been one of the crucial notable and widespread issues in regards to the world of MMA in the previous couple of years. That group has made its title due to the success of numerous its fighters within the UFC.
Of the bunch, maybe probably the most profitable and notable of the Combating Nerds group to this point is Carlos Prates. And Prates put an exclamation mark on that declare with a serious win this weekend at UFC Perth, stopping Jack Della Maddalena.
It was a beating. Prates pressured JDM early, after which landed 41 vital strikes on the previous champion. Prates additionally battered Della Maddalena’s leg with kicks, scoring knockdowns of JDM within the second and third rounds. That second knockdown would result in Prates touchdown follow-up photographs and scoring the TKO.
This now marks two consecutive bouts the place Prates has defeated a former UFC welterweight champion. This previous November at UFC 322, he put a beating on Leon Edwards, knocking him out chilly within the second spherical.
However let’s simply check out the image of Prates’ total UFC tenure to this point – and simply see how a lot he’s achieved.
Prates earned a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Sequence in 2023, ending a then-undefeated Mitch Ramirez.
Prates then fought 4 instances in 2024, competing in opposition to Trevin Giles, Charles Radtke, Li Jingliang, and Neil Magny. 4 wins, 4 finishes (all KO/TKOs), 4 post-fight bonuses. That may be a first-year stretch that virtually screams Rookie of the 12 months.
Prates’ sole blemish within the UFC got here at UFC Kansas Metropolis in April 2025, when he took on Ian Machado Garry in a title eliminator. Prates didn’t look like himself, unable to determine Garry out. Prates put a beating on Garry within the fifth, however he was unable to get a comeback end in time.
It was a disappointing loss for Prates and the those that observe him. He’d want a big-time rebound efficiency subsequent outing to make sure he’s nonetheless within the title image.
So what does he do? Land a spinning again elbow on Geoff Neal at UFC 319 – one of many high knockouts of 2025. And now he’s adopted that up with wins over a pair of former welterweight champions.
Prates has now received seven UFC bouts since 2024. He’s earned finishes in all of these fights. He’s earned efficiency bonuses in all of these fights. The win over JDM is the one time a struggle he’s received has gone previous spherical two.
And the one man he’s misplaced to within the Octagon? That man received one other title eliminator in opposition to Belal Muhammad this previous November. Now, Garry is being focused to problem Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title in the principle occasion of UFC 330 this coming August in Philadelphia.
That’s removed from a horrible loss.
Prates could not get the subsequent instant welterweight title shot. But when he takes on one other former champion or rising star within the welterweight ranks – for instance, respectively, Muhammad or Michael Morales – and he will get one other spotlight end (not to mention one other win) – then Prates can’t be denied a title shot any additional.
