In one of the most anticipated non-title fights of 2025, Brazilian knockout artist Carlos Prates stepped back inside the Octagon for a showdown with Irish contender Ian Machado Garry at UFC Kansas City.
With both fighters working their way up the middleweight ranks, a win for either one could put them in a prime position for a shot at the coveted 185-pound crown. Prates enters the contest having knocked out every fighter he’s faced under the UFC banner. Meanwhile, Garry will look to bounce back after suffering the first loss of his mixed martial arts career in December.
Round 1
Things are off to a slow start with both fighters sizing up one another and trading calf kicks. Prates swings big with a left hand, but Garry is out of range. With just 90 seconds left in the round and very little action, the crowd is starting to get a little restless. Garry throws a combination, but Prates defends. Prates closes in, and Garry attempts to connect with a knee up the middle.
On the separation, Garry throws a high kick that Prates fends off. Garry lands a kick up the middle, and Prates appears to slip on the mat. With his opponent on his back, Garry drops a couple of shots, including an axe kick, just before the horn.
Round 2
Garry lands a calf kick early and looks to secure his first takedown of the fight, but Prates defends with ease and separates. Garry is landing with the jab and connects with a couple of oblique kicks as Prates is struggling to get his offense going. Garry throws a high kick as Prates approaches. Garry throws a kick up the middle, and Prates tries to respond with a combination. Garry’s head movement keeps him out of danger, and the two clinch up for a moment before separating.
Garry catches Prates with a nice right hand as the Brazilian tries to close the distance. Garry again tries for a takedown, but Prates defends and stays upright. Garry throws another head kick, and they trade heavy shots in close. Garry goes for a sweep just before the horn, which gets a smile out of Prates.
Round 3
Through the first 10 minutes, Garry has landed more strikes than Prates has thrown. That trend continues through the first minute with Garry mixing up his strikes and connecting with a right hand, followed by another. Prates uncorks a kick to the body that connects. He nearly eats a return high kick from Garry, but Prates gets his arm up just in time. 90 seconds into the round, Garry shoots for another takedown, but Prates defends again. Garry keeps the kicks coming, attacking the body and the head of his opponent.
Garry lands a big uppercut that has Prates retreating. Garry chases and lands a couple more shots before backing away. Garry shoots again. This time, he gets Prates to the mat and settles into the Brazilian’s guard. Before long, Prates works his way back up and starts to walk down Garry, but he can’t seem to land anything substantial. Garry scores another takedown. Prates gets back to his feet, but he can’t break Garry’s grip before the round ends.
Round 4
Garry continues to control the narrative of the fight in round four, lighting up Prates with a variety of kicks. Garry shoots for another takedown and gets Prates down near the fence. Garry is content to make Prates carry his weight, but the Brazilian finally gets some separation near the halfway point of the round. Garry lands a straight right and follows it up with a couple of lefts.
Prates appears to catch Garry with a right hand, but Garry fires right back with a right of his own that connects clean. Prates targets the body and throws a high kick. Garry attempts another takedown, but he doesn’t get it. Prates lands a combination near the fence, and Garry is bleeding. The crowd is sensing a shift as Garry fails to land another takedown. Garry dances around the Octagon for the remainder of the round.
Round 5
Likely down on the scorecards, Prates comes out and puts on pressure early. Prates lands a couple of shots against the fence that prompt Garry to try for a takedown. Prates fends it off and throws a body kick. Garry catches the kick and clinches against the fence. Prates separates, and Garry appears to be favoring his left forearm after absorbing a left high kick from Prates.
Prates narrowly misses with a head kick as Garry circles away. Prates throws a combination, and Garry catches him with a counter right. Garry shoots in from far out and clinches against the fence. Prates separates and goes back on the offensive. Garry shoots for a takedown, but it’s Prates who ends up on top. Prates drops some big strikes on the ground, and Garry is desperately trying to crawl away. Garry is on the ropes with less than a minute to go. Garry grabs Prates’ ankle.
Prates escapes and launches some more ground and pound. Prates backs off with 15 seconds to go and lets the clock run out, sending us to the scorecards.
Official Result: Ian Machado Garry def. Carlos Prates via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Check Out Highlights From Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates at UFC Kansas City:
BIG uppercut from Ian Garry 👀 #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/FQVTXvuC85
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 27, 2025
Prates almost got Ian Garry in the last round. But it’s too late, I am dominate him early in the fight. #UFC #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/QgLjlizqBM
— Wafer (@waferred) April 27, 2025
IAN GARRY DEFEATS CARLOS PRATES BY UNANIMOUS DECISION!
(48-47 x2, 49-46) #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/wKoJq3tWWH
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 27, 2025
