Rising welterweight contender, Carlos Prates, continues his impressive journey through the UFC, following his recent knockout victory over Li Jingliang. With a 10-fight win streak and three consecutive Performance of the Night bonuses, Prates has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the division. Prates earned his third-straight Performance of the Night bonus when he knocked out Li Jingliang in the second round at UFC 305 in August. He initially called out Khaos Williams, but is hinting that a bigger fight is potentially in the works.
A Potential Superfight
While Prates is currently ranked outside the top 15, he has his sights set on a high-profile matchup against Michael Page. The UFC has reportedly offered Prates the opportunity to fight Page, who is currently ranked No. 13 in the welterweight division. However, Page has yet to respond to the offer, leaving the potential fight in limbo.
Prates has expressed his desire to face Page, citing their contrasting fighting styles as a recipe for an exciting matchup. He has even trained with former Bellator champion Douglas Lima, the only fighter to defeat Page via knockout. Prates’ experience and knowledge of Page’s fighting style could give him a significant advantage in the matchup.
Will Page Accept the Fight?
The outcome of the potential fight between Prates and Page hinges on Page’s willingness to accept the offer. Given his recent loss to Ian Machado Garry and the opportunity for a high-profile matchup, it is possible that Page might be interested in the fight. However, until he responds to the UFC’s offer, the fight remains uncertain. “I heard that the company wants to give me @michaelvenompage, but he doesn’t answer the phone. You must be having nightmares by now!” Page split his first two octagon appearances – a win over Kevin Holland at UFC 299, followed by a razor-thin decision loss to Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303.
In a recent interview, Prates explained he once mimicked Page in training, so knows what to expect from his style. He helped former Bellator champion Douglas Lima, the lone fighter to knock out “MVP” in MMA. “Michael Page would be a really good fight,” Prates said. “I would like to fight him. It would be a great bonus again. You know the first time he lost to Douglas Lima? I was a sparring partner of Douglas. I was doing like ‘MVP’ and Douglas was doing his game. Douglas and his coach came to Thailand and we trained all together. So it’s kind of I know the way to knock the guy out.”
A fight between Carlos Prates and Michael Page would be a thrilling spectacle for MMA fans around the world. With Prates’ momentum and Page’s high-profile status, the matchup has the potential to be a major event. However, the ultimate decision rests with Page, who will need to decide whether to accept the UFC’s offer and step into the Octagon with the rising welterweight contender.
