LAS VEGAS — Rising UFC fighter Carlos Prates made a big statement in his first main event at UFC Fight Night 247, delivering a powerful first-round knockout against veteran Neil Magny on Saturday night. The Brazilian’s win, which left Magny on the canvas at the 4:50 mark, has put him in strong contention for the Newcomer of the Year award.

Prates, who joined the UFC just last year, entered the Octagon at the UFC Apex with a 21-6 professional MMA record and a 4-0 record in the UFC. Magny, a seasoned competitor with 29 career wins, presented a significant challenge, but Prates quickly showed he was ready for it. The fight opened with Magny attempting to take Prates to the ground, but Prates managed to counter, bringing the action back to the feet.

From there, Prates took control. He established distance and began landing powerful strikes. A short right hand dropped Magny briefly, but Prates allowed him back to his feet, signaling he wasn’t finished yet. Moments later, Prates landed a glancing left hand that caught Magny squarely, sending him to the mat for a walkoff KO.

Following the fight, Prates made it clear he’s eager for more challenging matchups. In his post-fight interview, he called out Australian fighter Jack Della Maddalena, mentioning he would like to face him in Australia to move up the ranks and see his daughter who lives there. Prates added that, if the Maddalena fight doesn’t materialize, he’d be interested in taking on heavy-hitter Geoff Neal.

Since joining the UFC after a standout performance on Dana White’s Contender Series, Prates has quickly racked up four wins, each ending in a finish and earning him bonuses. His record with the promotion has drawn praise and furthered his reputation as one of the most promising newcomers in the welterweight division.

For Magny, Saturday’s loss marks his second consecutive defeat, part of a struggle to regain momentum in his career. The UFC’s welterweight wins leader has experienced mixed results over the past two years, alternating between wins and losses.

As Prates continues to climb in the rankings, fans are eager to see what the explosive newcomer will bring to his next fight.