Welterweights Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates closed out an exciting night of fights at UFC Kansas City, which unfolded at the T-Mobile Center on Saturday night.
Garry entered the fight looking to bounce back from a loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov that came on short notice at UFC 310; Prates was part of the red-hot Fighting Nerds camp out of Brazil, and had the chance to launch himself into the title conversation with a big win.
The opening round was a successful one for Ian Machado Garry, who after some back and forth finished strong. Prates blocked a head kick, which was nonetheless nasty, towards the final minute of the frame. But Machado Garry was able to get Prates to his bag, then land some heavy punches standing over the Brazilian. As for Prates, he was single digits in terms of significant strikes in round one with little of note landing.
Round two saw more back-and-forth on the feet, with Garry showing a good variety of strikes. His movement, in and out, circling, was enough to keep him out of harm’s way. And when Prates briefly tried to drag him down later in the round, Machado Garry quickly scrambled free. The end result was another solid frame for Machado Garry, who connected with another partially blocked head kick in the final minute, similar to how he’d wrapped up the first.
The third round had Ian Machado Garry using his range well, throwing long strikes, well out of range of the shorter Prates. When they did come together it was Machado Garry closing the distance, shooting for a leg, though he could not land the takedown. Near the midway mark, Machado Garry cracked Prates with an uppercut, then piled on with another combo capped off with a head kick. That was followed by a takedown attempt, and this one, Machado Garry landed.
Prates would make it back up, but Machado Garry still had a body lock. With some effort, Prates broke the hold and reversed, leaning on the Irish welterweight. He couldn’t keep him pinned there, and the pair moved back to center, Ian Machado Garry again proving to have the edge on the feet, and again landing a takedown, this time in the final minute.
Heading into round four, Prates was down in the fight and more than likely in need of a finish. He ripped a kick to the body in the opening minute, but Machado Garry answered back with multiple strikes. And that had been the difference maker through the first three minutes and change – aside from using his length to his advantage, Machado Garry had simply been the busier, more accurate fighter. Another takedown, hard-fought and well-earned by Garry, resulted in Garry controlling from the back.
With about 90 seconds left in the fourth, Machado Garry landed over the top. Prates would answer back, going to the body. He began walking Ian down for just about the first time in the fight. Prates landed at least one punch with a combo, then fanned on a huge head kick. Bloodied and sensing danger, Machado Garry dove in on a takedown attempt, which was enough to halt Prates’ momentum and escape the round.
The final round was do or die for Carlos Prates. While the fourth was a better effort, there was no guarantee he’d even won it. And either way, it would be hard to argue he’d won the first three. Knowing that, Prates came out aggressive, backing Machado Garry up to the fence. He slipped away from danger, then fired a hard shot that connected on Prates. Moments later, Machado Garry went after a takedown, but couldn’t land it.
Back at center, Machado Garry landed a right hand, but that was followed by another takedown attempt that was fought off. Towards the final minute, another takedown backfired, with Prates getting on top of Garry. He landed some nasty hammer fists, and Garry literally crawled to the fence. Machado Garry was rocked, and somehow got up, but dove in on a leg out of sheer desperation. Prates was landing more hammer fists! Machado Garry was on the ropes, with Prates having a chance to finish. Carlos Prates backed off, perhaps hoping to get the finish on the feet, but he couldn’t seal the deal, with Ian Machado Garry surviving the late onslaught!
Following a unanimous decision win, Machado Garry called for the backup sport at UFC 315 next month, where welterweight champ Belal Muhammad meets Jack Della Maddalena.
Official Result: Ian Machado Garry def. Carlos Prates by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
