Hello, mixed martial artist fans! If you love following the MMA and admire world-class, Carlos Prates is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Carlos Prates is a Brazilian welterweight knockout specialist fighting in the UFC, known for his Muay Thai background and a professional MMA record of 23 wins and 7 losses as of late 2025. Public information covers his fight career, basic bio, and social media, but details like salary, exact net worth, religion, spouse, and education are not reliably disclosed, so those are not included.
Carlos Prates’ Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Carlos Augusto Monteiro Prates |
| Nickname | “The Nightmare” |
| Date of Birth | August 17, 1993 |
| Age | 32 years old |
| Birthplace | São Paulo, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 6’1″ (188 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) |
| Reach | 78 inches (198 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw/Switch |
| College | N/A |
| Religion | Umbanda (Afro-Brazilian syncretic religion) |
| Turned Professional | 2012 |
| UFC Debut | 2024 (Dana White’s Contender Series) |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Children | One daughter living in Sydney, Australia |
| Net Worth | Estimated $500,000 – $1,000,000 |
| Estimated Salary | $150,000 – $300,000+ per UFC fight |
| @thenightmare_170 |
Early Career
Carlos Prates’ journey into combat sports began at age 15 when his mother enrolled him in a local gym to keep him away from trouble and redirect his energy toward martial arts. This pivotal moment set the stage for what would become a lifelong pursuit of fighting excellence. He trained at the renowned Vale Top Team gym in São Paulo, one of Brazil’s most prestigious MMA training facilities, where he absorbed the technical foundations of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and striking arts.
After gaining initial experience in Brazil’s regional circuit, Prates suffered early professional losses that discouraged many fighters, compiling a record of 2-1 early on. However, instead of accepting defeat, he made a radical decision: relocating to Thailand to immerse himself in the art of Muay Thai and compete at the highest level possible outside the UFC.
Professional Career
Prates spent six transformative years in Thailand, where he competed extensively in Muay Thai and kickboxing promotions. This period was instrumental in refining his striking arsenal and developing the explosive power that now defines his fighting style. He accumulated approximately 103 fights during his Asian tenure, frequently competing four times per month across different countries. During this era, he won championships including the Bangla Stadium title in Thailand and the Glory of Heroes championship in China. His time in Thailand taught him the mentality of a true warrior—competing regularly to earn basic living expenses while simultaneously sharpening his skills against top-level Asian competitors.
Returning to Brazil and MMA, Prates competed in various regional promotions where his Muay Thai background became increasingly evident. He won the prestigious Standout Fighting Tournament (SFT) Welterweight Championship in September 2022 by knocking out Charles de Oliveira Santos in the first round with a devastating punch. His knockout power grew more refined with each fight, and by 2023, Prates had strung together consecutive victories that caught the attention of Dana White. On August 29, 2023, Prates appeared on Dana White’s Contender Series and delivered a stunning second-round TKO against Mitch Ramirez, earning his UFC contract immediately.
Carlos Prates’ Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Carlos Prates’ estimated net worth ranges between $500,000 and $1,000,000, though some earlier 2024 estimates placed it closer to $300,000. His net worth has grown substantially since joining the UFC in late 2023, primarily through fight purses, win bonuses, and Performance of the Night bonuses. Within his first year in the UFC, Prates earned approximately $282,000 from fight salaries alone, not including endorsement revenue and sponsorship deals.
His earnings trajectory demonstrates rapid growth. His earlier UFC fights in 2024 carried base purses ranging from $12,000 (his UFC debut against Trevin Giles) to approximately $150,000 for mid-card bouts. By 2025, his market value increased significantly, with his fight against Ian Machado Garry reportedly carrying a $250,000 base purse despite the loss. His victories over Neil Magny and Leon Edwards were particularly lucrative—the Magny bout included a $350,000 guaranteed purse plus a $50,000 performance bonus, while the Edwards knockout at UFC 322 generated an estimated total of $206,000 (combining base pay, win bonus, and performance bonus).
Beyond fight purses, Prates earns through UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payments (typically $6,000 to $16,000 per bout depending on experience level) and endorsement partnerships with brands like Maximum Boxing, Vitality Nutrition, Farma Conde, and Lombardi. While his endorsement revenue is modest compared to mainstream UFC superstars, it continues to grow alongside his social media following.
Fight Purses
| Fight | Opponent | Event | Date | Result | Estimated Purse |
| Leon Edwards | UFC 322 | New York | Nov 15, 2025 | KO (Win) | $206,000 |
| Geoff Neal | UFC 319 | Chicago | Aug 16, 2025 | KO (Win) | $195,000+ |
| Ian Machado Garry | UFC on ESPN 66 | Kansas City | Apr 26, 2025 | Decision (Loss) | $250,000+ |
| Neil Magny | UFC Fight Night 247 | Las Vegas | Nov 9, 2024 | KO (Win) | $400,000+ |
| Li Jingliang | UFC 305 | Perth | Aug 17, 2024 | KO (Win) | $160,000+ |
| Charles Radtke | UFC on ESPN 57 | Louisville | Jun 8, 2024 | KO (Win) | $130,000+ |
| Trevin Giles | UFC Fight Night 236 | Las Vegas | Feb 10, 2024 | KO (Win) | $75,000+ |
| Mitch Ramirez | Dana White’s Contender Series | Las Vegas | Aug 29, 2023 | TKO (Win) | $5,000 (estimated) |
Endorsements and Brand Partnerships
Carlos Prates has strategically aligned himself with brands that resonate with his fighting philosophy and audience. Here are his primary endorsements:
- Maximum Boxing: Produces his custom fight gear featuring his signature scorpion logo, making him highly visible during UFC broadcasts and weigh-ins
- Vitality Nutrition: A Brazilian supplement company offering pre-workout formulas that Prates uses during training camps
- Farma Conde: A pharmaceutical and supplement brand providing performance-enhancing products
- Lombardi: An apparel or accessory brand in Prates’ endorsement portfolio
- Full Violence Brand: Mentioned in his UFC biography as an affiliated brand
- UFC Promotional Guidelines Sponsorship: Venum partnership providing official UFC sponsorship compensation
Career Record
| Opponent | Event | Date | Result | Method | Round/Time | Notes |
| Leon Edwards | UFC 322 | Nov 15, 2025 | Win | KO (Punches) | R2 1:28 | Performance of Night Bonus |
| Geoff Neal | UFC 319 | Aug 16, 2025 | Win | KO (Spinning Back Elbow) | R1 4:59 | Performance of Night Bonus |
| Ian Machado Garry | UFC on ESPN 66 | Apr 26, 2025 | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 Rounds | Competitive fight, close decision |
| Neil Magny | UFC Fight Night 247 | Nov 9, 2024 | Win | KO (Punch) | R1 4:50 | Performance of Night Bonus |
| Li Jingliang | UFC 305 | Aug 17, 2024 | Win | KO (Punches) | R2 4:02 | Performance of Night Bonus |
| Charles Radtke | UFC on ESPN 57 | Jun 8, 2024 | Win | KO (Knee to Body) | R1 4:47 | Performance of Night Bonus |
| Trevin Giles | UFC Fight Night 236 | Feb 10, 2024 | Win | KO (Punch) | R2 4:03 | UFC Debut Performance |
| Mitch Ramirez | Dana White’s Contender Series | Aug 29, 2023 | Win | TKO (Punch) | R2 1:14 | Earned UFC Contract |
| Eduardo Ramon | LFA 154 | Mar 10, 2023 | Win | KO (Knee) | R1 2:25 | Regional Title Run |
| Moacir Rocha | LFA 146 | Nov 4, 2022 | Win | KO (Head Kick & Punches) | R1 4:15 | Regional Victory |
| Charles de Oliveira Santos | SFT 37 | Sep 3, 2022 | Win | KO (Punch) | R1 3:14 | Won SFT Welterweight Championship |
FAQs
1. What is Carlos Prates’ real name and why is he called “The Nightmare”?
Carlos Prates’ full name is Carlos Augusto Monteiro Prates. His nickname “The Nightmare” originated from his fighting career in Brazil and Thailand, where promoters struggled to find opponents willing to face him due to his devastating knockout power. The nickname reflects both his aggressive fighting style and the difficulty promoters had scheduling his bouts—hence, being a “nightmare” to organize. Prates adopted the nickname officially, and it now appears on merchandise, his social media handle, and UFC promotional materials.
2. How tall is Carlos Prates and what is his fighting weight?
Carlos Prates stands 6 feet 1 inch tall (188 centimeters) with a reach of 78 inches (198 centimeters), which is exceptional length for a welterweight. He competes in the UFC welterweight division at a fighting weight of 170 pounds (77 kilograms). His significant height and reach advantage over many welterweight opponents contribute to his effective striking distance and knockout power.
3. Where was Carlos Prates born and what is his nationality?
Carlos Prates was born in São Paulo, Brazil, on August 17, 1993, making him 32 years old as of January 2026. He is Brazilian by nationality, though he spent six transformative years living and fighting in Thailand before establishing his professional MMA career. He also maintains family connections in Australia through his daughter.
4. What is Carlos Prates’ religious background and does he have any spiritual beliefs?
Carlos Prates practices Umbanda, an Afro-Brazilian syncretic religion that blends West African traditions with Indigenous Brazilian beliefs and Catholicism. He has a tattoo of Ogun, a deity in the Umbanda tradition representing strength and protection, which is not demonic as some commentators have mistakenly suggested. Prates clarified the meaning of his tattoo after public speculation, demonstrating pride in his spiritual and cultural heritage. Umbanda is a religion rooted in resistance and survival, reflecting the historical experiences of enslaved Africans who preserved their faith within an oppressive colonial system.
5. What are Carlos Prates’ main endorsement partnerships and sponsorships?
Prates partners primarily with Maximum Boxing (custom fight gear with his signature scorpion logo), Vitality Nutrition (Brazilian supplement company), Farma Conde (pharmaceutical supplements), and Lombardi (apparel). He has explicitly chosen to work with smaller brands that believed in him before his UFC rise, valuing loyalty over mainstream corporate partnerships. His UFC sponsorship through the Venum partnership provides additional official compensation through Promotional Guidelines Compliance payments.
6. Does Carlos Prates have a family, and what is his relationship status?
Carlos Prates has one daughter who lives in Sydney, Australia, with her mother. He maintains a long-distance relationship with his daughter and has expressed interest in fighting in Australia on his birthday to combine professional opportunities with family time. Prates does not appear to be married or in a publicly disclosed romantic relationship as of early 2026. His family life, particularly his role as a father, is clearly important to him despite his demanding professional fighting schedule.
7. How much money has Carlos Prates earned from his UFC career, and what is his estimated net worth?
Carlos Prates’ estimated net worth as of January 2026 ranges from $500,000 to $1,000,000. Within his first year in the UFC (2024), he earned approximately $282,000 from fight purses alone. His earnings have escalated significantly in 2025, with his bout against Neil Magny generating approximately $400,000 in total compensation and his knockout victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 322 earning an estimated $206,000. These figures include base purses, win bonuses, Performance of the Night bonuses, and UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payments. His endorsement partnerships add additional income, though the exact amounts are not publicly disclosed.
8. What was the origin of Carlos Prates’ interest in fighting, and how did he start his combat sports journey?
At 15 years old, Carlos Prates was facing personal struggles and making poor life choices. His mother intervened and enrolled him in a local gym to redirect his energy toward martial arts and positive discipline. This transformative moment set him on the path to professional fighting. He trained at Vale Top Team, one of Brazil’s most prestigious MMA facilities, where he developed his foundational skills in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and striking. After early professional losses, rather than quitting, Prates made the bold decision to relocate to Thailand for six years, where he competed extensively in Muay Thai and kickboxing before returning to establish his MMA career.
9. How many fights has Carlos Prates had throughout his entire fighting career, and what is his overall record?
Carlos Prates holds a professional mixed martial arts record of 23 wins and 7 losses as of November 15, 2025. His record breakdown includes 18 knockout victories, 3 submission victories, and 2 decision victories. Among his losses, 2 came via knockout, 3 via submission, and 2 via decision. Additionally, during his six years in Thailand, Prates accumulated approximately 103 Muay Thai and kickboxing fights, making his total combat sports experience extensive. In the UFC specifically, his record stands at 6-1 before recent career developments, with all six wins coming via knockout.
10. What are Carlos Prates’ career aspirations and future goals in the UFC?
Carlos Prates has explicitly stated that his primary goal is to earn a UFC welterweight title shot and then retire from fighting. He aims to become a champion and then step away from professional competition while still at the peak of his abilities. This timeline-focused approach differs from many fighters who extend their careers indefinitely. Prates is highly motivated by financial success and the desire to provide for his daughter, and he views a championship run followed by retirement as the ideal conclusion to his fighting career. His recent performances, including knockout victories over ranked opponents like Leon Edwards, position him as a legitimate title contender capable of achieving this goal within the next 1-2 years.