Carlos Prates’ victory celebration following his UFC 319 win quickly drew intense reactions from mixed martial arts enthusiasts around the globe. The fight took place on Saturday at the United Center in Chicago, where Prates defeated Geoff Neal with a dramatic finishing move, solidifying his rising status in the welterweight division.
Carlos Prates Shocks Fans with Last-Second Knockout at UFC 319
Returning to the octagon for the second time this year, Carlos Prates faced Geoff Neal in a welterweight matchup on the main card of UFC 319. Prates entered the fight after a unanimous decision loss to Ian Machado Garry in April at UFC Kansas City, aiming to bounce back. Neal, on the other hand, was coming off a first-round knockout of Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 308 last year.
In a stunning conclusion to the first round, Prates landed a powerful spinning back elbow with just one second remaining that knocked Neal unconscious, ending the fight abruptly. This impressive finish earned Prates a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, highlighting the significance of his win.
Following the victory, a combat sports news outlet shared footage on social media of Prates celebrating enthusiastically at a party, fueling strong reactions from fans worldwide.
Fan Responses to Prates’ Post-Fight Celebration
Fans quickly flooded the comments with their thoughts on the celebration and Prates’ performance. One supporter praised him simply as “My ciggy goat,” expressing admiration. Another commented,
“I’m going to a Carlos Prates fight card just to party with him after”
However, some fans voiced criticism or concern about Prates’ approach in previous fights. One remarked,
“I’m still pissed he fought so passively against Garry. We all saw what he could do while aggressive in the final round of their fight.”
Meanwhile, a lighter response joked,
“Alright buddy it was a waffle house employee lets calm down”
At 5-1 inside the octagon, Prates is now focused on climbing into the top 10 of the 170-pound rankings by continuing to string together impressive victories.
Former UFC Fighter Questions Referee’s Decision on Neal’s Knockout
The aftermath of the knockout also sparked debate over the referee’s timing in stopping the fight. On a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, ex-UFC fighter Josh Thomson expressed that the official may have ended the bout too soon, potentially denying Neal a chance to recover:
“So, it wasn’t an early stoppage? The bell rang. Prates walked away. Now, the ref [should] go, hey, walk up to the corner. You have that, you got to give him a chance, right? Walk to the corner. He waved it off before his back even hit the ground. There’s a discussion to be had. Do you not look at him and go, the round’s over. If you can get up and walk to your corner, let the fight happen. If you can’t, if I say, get up, fighter. [If] you can’t, fight’s over. But he was already waving it off.” —Josh Thomson, Former UFC Fighter
This perspective adds a layer of complexity to the bout’s conclusion, underscoring the tension between fighter safety and fair competition.
Implications of Prates’ Victory for His Career Trajectory
Carlos Prates’ dramatic victory and subsequent celebrations have not only ignited passionate responses from the fanbase but also signaled his potential emergence as a serious contender in the welterweight division. This win at UFC 319 at the United Center in Chicago positions him to break into the division’s top rankings if he maintains momentum against high-level opponents.
With an official record now standing at five wins and one loss within the UFC octagon, Prates is set to continue showcasing his aggressive striking and finishing abilities, while navigating the scrutiny that comes from lofty expectations and critical fans.
As the welterweight division heats up, all eyes will remain on Carlos Prates’ next fights and how he balances his dynamic in-cage performances with the passionate reactions his celebrations provoke among the MMA community.