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Carlos Prates admits UFC career nearly over as he outlines retirement plan

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Mathew Riddle | Last updated Sep 9, 2025 6:13 PM ET

UFC welterweight sniper Carlos Prates doesn't plan on staying around for long, given that his next few fights go to plan.

Prates has had a meteoric rise in the welterweight ranks, notching four knockout victories in 2024 before losing a potential title eliminator against Ian Machado Garry in April.

Rebounding with a knockout win over Geoff Neal at UFC 319, Prates has been booked against Leon Edwards at UFC 322 this November. A stunning victory will surely guarantee a title shot for Prates in his next showing.

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'I don't want to fight too much' ... Carlos Prates outlines UFC retirement plans

Perhaps in the wake of his two Fighting Nerds teammates, Caio Borralho and Mauricio Ruffy, losing at UFC Paris, Prates isn't planning many more fights in the UFC.

"I'm gonna fight for the belt, I'm gonna win the belt, then I'm gonna challenge [Ian Garry] to a rematch, and then I'm gonna stop fighting MMA," Prates told Ariel Helwani.

"I don't want to fight too much. . . Just enjoy life, BBQ, [drink] some beers. That's it... Enjoy my time by the pool, just chill, take care of my mom."

Carlos Prates reveals he is nearing the end of his career:

"I'm gonna fight for the belt, I'm gonna win the belt, then I'm gonna challenge [Ian Machado Garry] to a rematch, and then I'm gonna stop fighting MMA.

I don't want to fight too much, bro... Just enjoy my life,… pic.twitter.com/S2vpBrhyCN
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 9, 2025

Prates' (incomplete) Muay Thai and kickboxing record comprises 34 fights, with 29 wins. He has a total of 63 (confirmed) fights across MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing.

He fights Leon Edwards on the main card of UFC 322 on November 15. There are four confirmed fights for the card so far.