Saturday’s UFC Kansas City event was headlined by a welterweight match between No. 7 ranked Ian Machado Garry and No. 13 ranked Carlos Prates.
Machado Garry entered the fight looking to rebound from his first career loss in his last outing. Prates brought with him an 11-fight winning streak looking to extend it and jump into the Top 10 rankings.
Machado Garry took the ender the cage and controlled the range by pawing with his jab early in the opening round. The first minute was largely a feeling out process. Machado Garry began mixing in kicks to the body. Machado Garry dictated the pace and had a higher output. Midway through the frame, Machado Garry looks for a takedown but didn’t fully commit to it. Prates began to press forward but Machado Garry stayed out of striking range. Machado Garry tripped Prates to the canvas late in the round. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Machado Garry.
Prates came out pressuring Machado Garry in the second frame. Machado Garry circled on the outside. Garry committed to a takedown attempt but Prates defended. Machado Garry’s jab began finding a home. Teep kicks kept Prates on the outside. Machado Garry continued to mix in takedown attempts but was unable to get Prates to the ground. MMAWeekly scored the frame 10-9 for Machado Garry.
Machado Garry continued to have a higher output in the third. He repeatedly looked to land a right heads kick but Prates blocked it each time. Machado Garry put together combinations. With two minutes on the clock, Machado Garry took Prates down. He delivered left hands until Prates powered to his feet. Machado Garry continued to outpace Prates and secured a late takedown. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Machado Garry.
Throughout the fight, Machado Garry had Prates reacting to what he was doing. “The Future” was first in the exchanges. Machado Garry took Prates down again but Prates quickly got back to his feet only to be pulled back to the ground in the fourth.
Prates came out aggressive in the final frame, taking the fight to Machado Garry. He pressed forward landing a combination and backing Machado Garry up. Machado Garry looked to get the fight to the ground but Prates reversed him on the way down and ended up on top. Prates postured up and delivered hammer fists forcing Machado Garry to roll. He worked his way to his feet and avoided Prates shots. Garry again looked for a takedown and ended up on bottom. He scrambled to his feet. MMAWeekly scored the round for Prates.
The judges scored the fight for Machado Garry via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 48–47, 48–47, and 49–46.
