Rising welterweight contender Carlos Prates has officially opened up about the details of his lucrative new contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, confirming that his latest multi-fight extension secures a staggering financial package that guarantees well over $1 million per appearance inside the Octagon. The Brazilian powerhouse, who has quickly carved out a reputation as one of the most exciting and devastating strikers in the sport, signed a fresh eight-fight agreement with the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization. While the sheer length of the new deal means the 33-year-old might not necessarily fight out the entirety of his current commitment, Prates is undeniably thrilled with the substantial pay bump that reflects his rising status, marketability, and explosive performances under the UFC banner.
Carlos Prates discusses his eight-fight UFC contract and retirement plans
In a recent and revealing interview with Fighters Weekly, Prates addressed the swirling speculation surrounding the exact figures and financial security guaranteed by his new promotional contract. When asked directly about rumors that his pay has crossed the coveted seven-figure threshold per fight, the surging contender did not shy away from confirming the massive upgrade in his compensation.
"It’s more [than $1 million per fight]," Prates told Fighters Weekly, unable to hide his satisfaction with the milestone achievement. "I’m really happy. I’m really happy."
Beyond the financial windfall that comes with cementing himself as a top-tier attraction in the talent-rich welterweight division, Prates took the opportunity to discuss his long-term outlook on his career, his unwavering motivation, and his eventual plans for retirement. Boasting a stellar professional mixed martial arts record of 24 wins and 7 losses, the veteran striker emphasized that capturing UFC gold remains the ultimate, non-negotiable objective driving him through grueling training camps. At the same time, he remains deeply pragmatic about the physical and mental tolls of the sport, noting that he intends to walk away from professional competition the moment he feels his competitive fire begin to flicker.
"I don’t know if I’m going to do all eight fights," Prates added, offering a candid glimpse into his day-to-day philosophy on life and fighting. "Or maybe two, or three, or one fight. I cannot say when I’m gonna stop fighting. Maybe I can stop tomorrow, maybe I can stop after the next fight. I don’t know. I just like to live day by day, bro. I want to make money and beat everybody, be a champ, and when I get tired of this, I’m gonna stop."
Prates attributes his sustained success and destructive finishing ability to an inherent psychological drive that goes beyond mere financial incentives. For the Brazilian, stepping into the cage is an expression of an ongoing internal compulsion to test his limits against the absolute best fighters in the world.
"I’m addicted to winning; I’m addicted to competing," Prates explained. "So, if I want to compete and win, I need to train. That’s why I train hard every time. When I feel like I cannot compete anymore, I cannot be the number one anymore; it doesn’t make sense to fight. So maybe then I can retire."
This relentless mindset has propelled Prates into the upper echelon of the welterweight weight class, setting the stage for the most significant challenges of his professional career. Initially, "The Nightmare" had set his sights on securing a championship opportunity against dominant titleholder Islam Makhachev, who currently holds an imposing 29-1 professional record. Prates had hoped to challenge the reigning champion for the welterweight crown in January 2027. However, those initial championship scheduling plans shifted when the champion indicated a preference to make his anticipated return to the Octagon following Ramadan later next year.
Despite the temporary detour from a direct path to the undisputed title, Prates has found himself locked into another high-stakes promotional battle. The dynamic striker is now officially scheduled to face undefeated contender Michael Morales, who boasts a pristine 19-0 professional record. The high-profile matchup carries massive championship implications, as the two elite welterweights will collide for the interim UFC welterweight title.
The stage is officially set for this explosive divisional showdown, which will serve as a premier attraction at UFC 336. The event is scheduled to take place on January 30 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, where Prates will look to inch one step closer to his ultimate dream of undisputed gold while continuing to enjoy the fruits of his hard-earned success inside and outside the Octagon.
