Carlos Prates might have an opponent waiting in the wings for his desire to fight at UFC Rio after UFC 319.
UFC 319 star Carlos Prates landed one of the nastiest knockouts in recent promotional history over Geoff Neal on Saturday night in Chicago. With one second remaining in Round 1, Prates caught Neal with a spinning back elbow to the head that immediately flattened his adversary.
It was a standout performance for Prates after suffering his first UFC defeat earlier this year. After Prates’ win, he immediately pleaded with UFC CEO Dana White to get on the upcoming UFC Rio card in October, and called out former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards.
While White accepted Prates’ plea, he might not get his desired opponent, but a fellow UFC 319 standout is ready to oblige his request.
Michael ‘Venom’ Page grants Carlos Prates’ UFC Rio wish after both win at UFC 319
During his UFC 319 post-fight press conference, Michael ‘Venom’ Page offered to fight Prates to fulfill his UFC Rio demand.
“100 percent, you’re not hitting me with that spinning elbow, I’ll tell you that right now,” Page said.
“It’s a great fight, and it’s one of those fights that I want. I’d love to go to Brazil, I’ve had fans there for many years, I remember being called the ‘UK Anderson Silva’, which a massive compliment…I still haven’t managed to get over there yet so I’d definitely love to be over there.
Page was then pushed for clarity on whether or not he’d be open to fighting in a five-round co-main event against Prates.
“Yes, 100 percent. Again, if it’s a great fight, then why not?” Page answered.
“Give me more time to show my skills. I want the [Leon Edwards] fight to be in the UK. Nothing in my life [in October] so that’s perfect.”
Page defeated former UFC title challenger Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision earlier on the UFC 319 main card. He’s won two-straight fights since moving up to middleweight, including a dominant win over Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov earlier this year at UFC Saudi Arabia.
UFC Rio is about to get a huge boost in the form of potential Carlos Prates vs. MVP showdown
A matchup between Page and Prates would be a wild firefight, on paper, inside the Octagon.
UFC Rio is headlined by a lightweight matchup between former UFC lightweight champ Charles Oliveira against Rafael Fiziev. It’ll mark a quick turnaround for Oliveira after getting knocked out by Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in June.
Page, in the interview referenced above, clarified that he’ll need to sit down with his coaches to discuss whether or not he’ll be able to make the turnaround for UFC Rio. But Page has repeatedly explained that he wants great fights to wrap up his MMA career, including one last potential push to a title.