MMA Fighting’s 2024 Rookie of the Year: Carlos Prates
In a class of impressive prospects, Carlos Prates shined the brightest.
The award for Rookie of the Year in 2024 was a tough contest to judge with several fighters vying for the crown, but the Fighting Nerds stole the show with three names this past year: Prates, Mauricio Ruffy, and Jean Silva.
In the end, going 4-0 with four knockouts - and four performance bonuses - in a span of nine months made it too hard to look away from Prates.
“It you came from the future and told me [in January] that I would do all that, I wouldn’t believe you,” Prates told MMA Fighting. “It’s the result of all the hard work not only from me, but my coaches, my teams, and people that have been with me on this journey.”
A proud member of the Vale Top Team and Fighting Nerds, Prates joined the UFC after stopping Mitch Ramirez on Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2023 and made short work of Trevin Giles in his debut in February.
A nasty knee to the body folded Charlie Radtke in under five minutes in June, and Li Jingliang lasted just long enough to see the final minute of the second round.
How about Neil Magny, a seasoned veteran and perennial welterweight gatekeeper in a five-round main event? Four minutes and 50 seconds. Out cold.
“I loved doing a main event, it was so awesome,” Prates said. “I enjoyed the whole process every step of the way, from the moment I was told the news to the minute I left the octagon with the victory. I felt like those weeks lasted three minutes. The year was so good. I never expected things to go that way, but it just did and I danced to the song they were playing.”
2024 could have been even more magical for Prates, who received a call from his manager saying the UFC was offering him the spot at UFC 310, replacing injured champion Belal Muhammad against Shavkat Rakhmonov on short notice, but a broken foot stopped him from jumping at the opportunity.
Forced to stay on the sidelines to heal, Prates now aims to evolve as a martial artist to face the elite of the division in 2025. Prates hired a wrestling coach to work full-time in Taubate, and is trying to quit smoking “but it’s hard,” he laughed.
“I’m taking care of that,” Prates said of his addiction. “I’m 31, and I want to be in my best shape possible, my best cardio, my best conditioning. My team and I are taking care of that. You’ll see me twice as better in 2025.”
Prates hoped to be part of UFC 312 in Australia, but the Feb. 8 date is way too soon for his foot. The welterweight talent said he’s heard rumors of a possible UFC Fight Night card in Oceania in April, and a possible UFC Brasilia show on May 31 in Brazil, and likes the idea of being in one of those cards.
“But if the UFC wants to give me a fight in April, I’d rather wait and fight in May in Brazil,” Prates said. “I’d love to fight in Brazil. Who knows, maybe a main event again? I don’t know if I’m asking too much [laughs].”
The UFC often struggles convincing top-ranked fighters to fly to Brazil to face local stars in enemy territory, and Prates expects the same for a potential fight in 2025.
“Maybe Geoff Neal would do a Fight Night here in Brazil,” Prates said. “I think he’s the only one, really. I don’t see [Stephen] Thompson on a Fight Night [in Brazil], or Ian Garry. I don’t see anyone ranked above me fighting on a Fight Night here in Brazil. I plan on fighting at least twice, maybe Geoff Neal and Ian Garry — or Jack Della Maddalena and someone else that puts me closer to a shot at the title in 2026. When the time comes, I’ll be ready to bring this belt to Brazil.”