UFC Vegas 100: Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates – A Clash of Experience and Raw Power

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LAS VEGAS – The UFC returns to the Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 9, 2024, for UFC Vegas 100, a milestone event that features a thrilling welterweight matchup between Neil Magny and Carlos Prates. As part of the stacked fight card, this bout promises to deliver high stakes, intense action, and a clash of contrasting styles.

Neil Magny, one of the UFC’s most durable and experienced veterans, faces off against Carlos Prates, a rising star known for his explosive power and aggressive fighting style. For both fighters, this bout is an opportunity to climb higher in the competitive welterweight division, but with each having something different to prove, the stakes are higher than ever.

Neil “Haitian Sensation” Magny (27-10, 1 NC) has been a staple of the UFC’s welterweight division for over a decade, gaining recognition for his versatility, cardio, and incredible durability. With a vast array of skills, Magny has been able to compete with some of the biggest names in the division, from Rafael dos Anjos to Gilbert Burns, and has fought across multiple generations of welterweight talent.

Magny’s game revolves around a mix of elite cardio, high fight IQ, and technical striking combined with solid wrestling. He has a knack for taking fights to a decision, where his relentless pace often grinds down opponents. Magny is also known for his ability to adjust his game plan mid-fight, utilizing his experience and ability to dictate distance, making him a difficult puzzle for any fighter to solve.

At 37 years old, Magny is on the back end of his career, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down. With a reputation for never backing down from a challenge, Magny has become one of the gatekeepers of the welterweight division—those who can take on prospects or up-and-coming contenders to see if they have the tools to break into the rankings.

Magny’s biggest strength in this fight will likely be his ability to stay composed under pressure. His ability to adapt, wrestle effectively, and use his reach advantage makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone, including Prates, who may not yet have the same level of versatility.

Carlos “Cavalo” Prates (14-3) is a young, explosive fighter from Brazil who has quickly made a name for himself with his heavy hands and aggressive fighting style. Unlike Magny, who is known for his steady, methodical approach, Prates is all about pressure, power, and finishes. A skilled striker, Prates is dangerous on the feet, combining fast, precise punches with aggressive combinations that have earned him several knockouts in his career.

Prates has shown that he can go toe-to-toe with tough competition, but his real challenge in this fight will be facing someone like Magny, who can both outlast opponents and neutralize explosive attacks with superior technique. While Prates has the potential to win with a single shot, his success will depend on whether he can maintain his pace and prevent Magny from implementing his grappling.

As a rising star, Prates is hungry to prove that he belongs among the welterweight elite. A victory over a fighter like Magny—who has fought top-tier opponents for years—would propel him into serious contention, and a win here could put him on the fast track to a top-15 ranking. At 27, Prates still has time to develop his game, but his raw talent and hunger to make a statement make him an intriguing prospect in the welterweight division.

The fight between Magny and Prates offers a stark contrast in fighting styles. Magny’s game revolves around control, pressure, and cardio, while Prates brings raw aggression, power, and explosive striking. The outcome of this fight will likely depend on whether Prates can land his powerful strikes early and dictate the pace or if Magny can neutralize Prates’ aggression with his technical ability and game plan.

Neil Magny’s Path to Victory

To win this fight, Magny needs to avoid getting caught in exchanges on the feet where Prates is at his most dangerous. Magny is excellent at managing distance, so he’ll need to use his jab, low kicks, and movement to keep Prates from closing the distance. If Prates is too aggressive, Magny could capitalize with his clinch and takedown game, where he is often able to outwork opponents with his grinding style. Magny will likely aim to take the fight into the later rounds, where his superior conditioning could be the difference.

Carlos Prates’ Path to Victory

For Prates, the strategy is clear: avoid getting outworked. Prates needs to come forward with his signature aggression and look to land heavy strikes early. His explosiveness and knockout power will be his best chance at success, as he could potentially put Magny away with a clean shot before the fight becomes a grind. If Prates can avoid being taken down or outmuscled in the clinch, he might be able to outlast Magny’s striking and win by either decision or knockout.

What’s at Stake for Both Fighters

For Neil Magny, this fight represents another opportunity to prove that he can still compete at the highest level. Though he has fallen short in several high-profile bouts, Magny’s resilience and experience have kept him in the conversation for top-tier matchups. A win here could push him closer to the top 10 of the welterweight division and keep his hopes for a title shot alive.

For Carlos Prates, a victory over a seasoned veteran like Magny would be a major statement. It would not only prove his legitimacy as a contender, but it would also push him into the conversation with the best in the welterweight division. A win at UFC Vegas 100 could help establish Prates as one of the division’s rising stars and put him on a fast track toward bigger fights.

UFC Vegas 100 promises to be an exciting night of fights, with the matchup between Neil Magny and Carlos Prates representing one of the standout contests of the evening. The fight is a classic case of experience versus raw potential, and with both fighters having everything to gain, fans can expect a thrilling clash inside the octagon.

Will the veteran savvy of Neil Magny be enough to withstand the raw power of Carlos Prates, or will the young Brazilian star prove that his time is now? Tune in on Saturday, November 9, 2024, to find out who will come out on top in this crucial welterweight showdown at UFC Vegas 100.

UFC Vegas 100 weigh-in results – Magny vs Prates:

Main Card (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET):

Neil Magny vs Carlos Prates
Miles Johns vs TBD
Denise Gomes vs Karolina Kowalkiewicz
Bernardo Sopaj vs Ricky Turcios
Reinier de Ridder vs Gerald Meerschaert
Luana Pinheiro vs Gillian Robertson

Preliminary Card (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET):

Nicolas Dalby vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Dusko Todorovic
Charlie Radtke vs Matthew Semelsberger
Da’Mon Blackshear vs Cody Stamann
Melissa Mullins vs Klaudia Sygula
Gaston Bolanos vs Cortavious Romious
Tresean Gore vs Antonio Trocoli