UFC welterweight Carlos Prates could add himself to the list of legitimate title contenders with a win over Ian Garry at UFC Kansas City, but he and his team are aiming much higher in the next couple of years.
The Fighting Nerds have taken the UFC by storm with three ranked fighters hoping for title shots soon, and one just outside of the rankings. There is almost a race as to who becomes the first Fighting Nerds champion.
“I think Caio (Borralho) gonna be the first one,” Prates told reporters on Wednesday.
“Depends the next weeks. If he’s gonna fight or not, but if I should be money on who gonna be champ first? I think I’m gonna bet my money on Caio.”
Prates (21-6) has scored 4 straight victories, 5 if you include his DWCS win, all finishes coming into UFC Kansas City. The 13th ranked welterweight takes on the #7 ranked 170er in the main event this Saturday night.
A win for him, specially one with a spectacular finish, could be what fires him into the top 5 and right into title contention. He’s not the only one who has a real opportunity to earn a title shot real soon. Could all 4 of the top fighters with the Fighting Nerds become champions at the same time?
“I think so. We four, all the guys, can become champ like just one more fight and then we can fight for the belt. Caio can fight for the belt any moment. I think for me I think (it) depends the way I beat Ian Garry the next fight can be for the belt also,” he said.
“(Mauricio) Ruffy just one more fight. I don’t know, maybe he fight Justin Gaethje, or somebody like that. Really good performance also he can go to the belt. And also Jean (Silva). Just one fight and then can go, but it’s really possible.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Carlos Prates above. He takes on Ian Garry in the main event of UFC Kansas City on Saturday night.
