Chicago will host the long-anticipated Carlos Prates UFC 319 fight this Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the United Center. Originally set earlier in the year, the bout between Prates and Geoff Neal was postponed due to Neal’s injury, delaying the matchup until now.
When Neal withdrew, Prates faced Ian Machado Garry in April at UFC Kansas City, losing by decision. Following that fight, the UFC rebooked Prates versus Neal, restoring the rivalry fans had awaited.
Prates Reflects on Lessons from Previous Defeat
Prates acknowledged that his loss to Garry brought valuable insights, especially about strategic approach and trusting his team’s guidance. He shared that fighting Garry taught him to adopt a more complete fighting style instead of focusing solely on highlight moments.
“Of course Ian is great, he’s really smart, really intelligent fighter. But I learned also how to be a complete fighter. It’s important,”
he said.
“It’s time to stop thinking about only bonuses, like knocking people out, bonuses and entertaining people, and just focus on getting the win. Because at the end of the day, getting the win is more important than a bonus or something like that.”
—Carlos Prates, Welterweight Fighter
Prates emphasized how competing at this elite level means that minor errors can have decisive consequences in fights.
“We are on biggest, high level. So small mistakes can change the end of the fight.”
—Carlos Prates, Welterweight Fighter
Contesting Geoff Neal’s Knockout Prediction
Geoff Neal recently declared that he expects to finish the fight in the opening round. Prates contested this view, questioning the advantage of thinking only about a brief fight duration when bouts can last much longer.
“I know a lot of people like to say something to make the thing become real, but definitely, he says he’s going to knock me out in the first round, it’s [not] going to become real,”
Prates responded confidently.
Victory Could Propel Prates Toward Title Contention
Prates expressed optimism that defeating Neal would restore his status as a serious contender within the welterweight division. He recognized that while he fell off the immediate title shot radar after his loss to Garry, a win now could return him to that elite group within a manageable timeframe.
“I think after winning [against] Geoff now, it’s going to make a life in the top of the division. When you talk about who is close to the title shot, maybe one, two, three fights, you have some names there. I lost my last fight, so I think my name is not there. But I think after I beat Geoff Neal, my name is going back to the bunch of guys that are close to a title shot. Maybe three fights, one year, can fight for the belt.”
—Carlos Prates, Welterweight Fighter
Setting the Stage for a High-Stakes Match in Chicago
The UFC 319 event marks a significant opportunity for Carlos Prates to prove his growth and determination as he faces a tough opponent in Geoff Neal. The stakes are high, with the possibility of moving closer to a title opportunity adding pressure and motivation for Prates. Fans will watch closely as he aims to shift his focus fully onto winning rather than chasing bonuses.