Carlos Prates had a fair bit to tick off during his India visit. There was the food, the traditional attire, the local culture and, going by his social media updates, even some firecracker fun. The Brazilian UFC fighter is enjoying himself, making the most of a visit that was as much about experiencing India as it was about connecting with its sporting audience. “I’m really enjoying India. The food is amazing, the people are amazing. I like the culture, everything. India is one of the places I’ve always wanted to visit,” Prates told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interaction on Saturday.
Prates is in India as part of the UFC India Tour, aimed at bringing UFC fighters closer to fans. For the Brazilian, the visit was as much about meeting people and experiencing a new culture as it was about representing the UFC. “I like to travel, meet people, talk to people, try different food. I like to know different cultures,” he said.
However, there was one popular Indian obsession he had not quite figured out. Asked about cricket, Prates admitted he knew little about the sport, despite being aware of its following in India. "I know cricket is really famous here in India, but I don't know the rules," he said.
Life outside the Octagon
The 33-year-old is known for his knockout power inside the Octagon, but there is a noticeably different side to him away from fight night. He enjoys a party, likes spending time with friends and family, and is generally comfortable striking up conversations with people. But, He draws a clear line between the two sides of his life. "No, bro. I'm always like this," he said when asked whether he switches personalities between fight night and everyday life. "Inside the Octagon, I need to be serious because it's my work, my health and my family's money. My daughter and my mother are there. But outside the Octagon, it's different. I like talking to everybody and having fun with everybody."
That easy-going attitude has not come from an easy journey in the sport. Before becoming one of the UFC's most explosive welterweights, Prates had to go through the proper grind in MMA, including spending six years in Thailand, fighting in Muay Thai and kickboxing bouts to make ends meet.
Six years in Thailand and the grind before the UFC
He has previously spoken about the financial realities of that period, when there were no sponsors and fighting was often his only way to pay rent and buy food. He had competed in around 102 or 103 fights across MMA and striking disciplines, including a year in which he fought 25 times in Asia. He even had days when he would turn up at the gym only to be told by his coach that he had a fight that night. Those years also shaped his outlook on fighting. "The hardest part was the beginning of my career, when I had no money and my family probably didn't want me to fight. Thailand was tough as well because you had to fight to make money. Sometimes you were injured, sometimes you were sick, but it didn't matter. You still had to fight."
From Contender Series to a run of seven UFC wins
That experience eventually brought him to the UFC. After earning a contract through Dana White's Contender Series in 2023. Since making his UFC debut against Trevin Giles in February 2024, Prates has built a 7-1 record in the promotion. His victories include stoppages of Li Jingliang, Neil Magny, Geoff Neal, former welterweight champion Leon Edwards and former champion Jack Della Maddalena. His only UFC defeat came against Ian Machado Garry in April 2025. He is 24-7 overall, with 19 knockout wins, and has earned a performance bonus for each of his seven UFC victories. The win over Della Maddalena in May 2026 appeared to put Prates in line for a shot at the undisputed welterweight title. He expected to face the two-divison champ Islam Makhachev, but the champion was not ready to compete in January. The UFC instead announced an interim title fight between Prates and unbeaten Ecuadorian Michael Morales for UFC 336 in Toronto on January 30, 2027. The winner is expected to face Makhachev. Prates has not hidden his frustration with the change in plans. He said he had expected the Makhachev fight and was angry that it had not materialised.
Makhachev setback and an interim title opportunity
“He acts like a kid, like an a**h**e,” Prates said, referring to the champion. "I can't do anything about it. I just need to give my best with the opportunity I have now. My opportunity is to become champion against Morales. I'm going to beat Morales, and then I'm going to make Makhachev retire from MMA."
Asked whether the situation had given him extra motivation for the Morales fight, Prates was dismissive of the idea. His goal, he said, remained the same: become champion. “No, no, no. It doesn't matter. I just want to be champion. It doesn't matter whether he fights or not, or whether I'm angry or not. My focus is to become champion. I'm working hard for this. Like I said, on January 30, I'll knock Morales out, and then I'll focus on Makhachev,” said Prates.
Michael Morales: The unbeaten challenge facing Prates
Morales, however, is no straightforward route to that opportunity. The 27-year-old has a perfect professional record of 19-0 and is unbeaten in all seven of his UFC appearances. He has 14 knockout victories overall, and his recent run includes first-round stoppages of Neil Magny, Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady - three established names in the welterweight division. There has also been attention on Morales' size. He remains a welterweight, competing in the 170lb division. But during the India interaction, Prates pointed to the amount of Morales will have to shed before a fight.
“He's really strong. He has 100 kilos. He needs to cut 23 kilos to fight. So he's strong. He's young. But I don't know. I think I'm better than him. I have more technique. I have more experience. I'm more handsome than him. I'm smarter,” Prates said. He also conceded that Morales has time on his side and could become champion in the coming years. But Prates does not intend to let that happen at his expense. I think he's going to become a champion soon, maybe in a few years, because he's really young. But now it's my time. I've been working hard for this, and now it's going to be my time. Maybe he'll become champion soon, but right now, it's my turn.
Alex Pereira, legacy and what comes next
Prates has also earned recognition from fellow Brazilian and former light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who has named him among the country's fighters worth watching. The two share a friendship, and Prates said Pereira occasionally messages him. He counts Pereira among his favourite fighters to watch. For now, though, his attention is on Morales and the opportunity to win a UFC title. Talk of legacy and what he wants to leave behind can wait. Prates said he still loves competing, even if the training that comes with it has become less appealing after years in the sport.
“After these fights, maybe I can think about my legacy, my career, my life,” he said. India, meanwhile, has made a strong first impression. Prates thanked the fans who turned out to meet him and said he would like to return. “Thank you, everybody, for all your support. I'm really enjoying India. I wish I could stay longer, but I'll be back soon.”
