Carlos Prates Vows to Be First to Knock Out Geoff Neal at UFC 319
Carlos Prates is never short of surprises, both inside and outside the cage. The Brazilian welterweight contender is gearing up for a huge showdown with Geoff Neal at UFC 319 in Chicago, and he’s bringing plenty of confidence with him. What makes Prates stand out even more is his unusual lifestyle choice—he still hasn’t given up smoking. In fact, he admits to smoking around eight cigarettes a day, even before fight nights. Most fighters cut every unhealthy habit possible to reach the top, but for Prates, this one has stayed. Surprisingly, he insists it hasn’t slowed him down.
His most recent loss came at the hands of Ian Machado Garry in Kansas City, a fight that went the full 25 minutes. That was the first time Prates had been pushed beyond three rounds in his career. Despite the grueling pace, he said fatigue was not a factor, even with his cigarette habit. Still, that defeat taught him some valuable lessons. He admitted that at the highest level of competition, small mistakes can change the outcome of a fight. So now, instead of chasing knockouts every time, he’s focusing more on executing smarter game plans and securing victories—even if it means holding back on some of his trademark aggression.
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But when it comes to Geoff Neal, Prates doesn’t plan on playing it safe. Neal, known as “Hands of Steel,” has built a reputation as one of the toughest strikers in the division. Notably, he has never been knocked out in the UFC. That kind of history excites Prates. He’s made a career out of being the first man to stop opponents who had never been finished before, and he’s predicting the same outcome this weekend. According to him, he thrives in these situations, and Neal is just the next name on his list.
Prates recalled knocking out Li Jingliang, who had never been stopped in his career, as well as another southpaw champion back in Brazil. For him, Neal represents both a massive challenge and a golden opportunity. “Saturday night, I’m going to be the first one to knock Geoff Neal out,” he declared confidently. For Prates, this isn’t personal—it’s just the way he fights. He’s a striker at heart, and nothing gives him more satisfaction than finishing a fight with his fists.
On the other side, Neal is entering this bout with his own determination. Ahead of fight week, he revealed how much support he receives from his wife, Kayla, who has a background in jiu-jitsu. That experience, Neal said, helps her understand the sacrifices and grind of fight preparation. He even predicted the fight won’t last long, boldly claiming it should end in the first round.
So now, both men are stepping into UFC 319 with knockout intentions. Prates wants to become the first fighter to stop Neal. Neal, meanwhile, is chasing his own statement win. With two dangerous strikers locked inside the Octagon, fans can expect fireworks in Chicago—because neither man plans on letting this fight reach the judges.
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