Tag: UFC on ESPN 66

Ian Machado Garry promises to finish Carlos Prates at UFC on ESPN 66: ‘I feel it in my heart’

Ian Machado Garry is oozing confidence as he takes on a surging contender at UFC on ESPN 66.

[autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] is oozing confidence as he takes on a surging contender at UFC on ESPN 66.

Machado Garry (15-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) faces [autotag]Carlos Prates[/autotag] (21-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in the April 26 welterweight main event at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Prates has been on a tear since joining the UFC roster, scoring four knockouts and four Performance of the Night bonuses. Machado Garry knows the Brazilian is dangerous but has a gut feeling that he’ll emerge victorious in emphatic fashion.

“I think he’s been successful, I think he’s done very well, and there’s a reason he’s on a 10-fight knockout streak, and fair play to him,” Machado Garry said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “That’s great. I think his team is phenomenal, I love watching his team, I think his team are awesome. They’re having a lot of success at the moment, and they’re a lot of fun to watch. I’m impressed with him to a certain extent. Then I think of him as an opponent and I’m like, ‘Hmm, that’s not going to work out well for you, mate.’

“I’m of the most elite welterweights on the planet. So, if this man thinks he’s as good as he is, and when he steps across the octagon April 26 against me, that’s his do-or-don’t time. I promise you, you’ve seen it from me every time when I step into the octagon, I look phenomenal. And, I promise you right now, I promise you, I feel it in my heart, see it every time I close my eyes, I’m going to finish this guy.”

Machado Garry vs. Prates came together on short notice after the original UFC on ESPN 66 headliner between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree was scrapped. This will mark the second-straight fight where Machado Garry competes on short notice after he lost a unanimous decision to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 this past December.

The risk didn’t pay off for Machado Garry last time so, why try it again?

“Is that not what I’m in this sport for?,” Machado Garry responded. “The excitement, the yeah f*ck it, let’s go, let’s have a short notice fight against one of the most dangerous up and comers in the UFC. Let’s do it, why not? That’s the type of things that excite me, that makes me want to go out and prove to the world that I’m the best.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 66.

Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC on ESPN 66 main event

Ian Machado Garry has opened up as a slight favorite over Carlos Prates at UFC on ESPN 66.

[autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] will look to halt [autotag]Carlos Prates[/autotag]’ momentum in the UFC on ESPN 66 headliner.

Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates preview

Machado Garry (15-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) vs. Prates came together on short notice after the original UFC on ESPN 66 main event between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree fell apart. Machado Garry suffered his first-career loss in a No. 1 contender bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 this past December.

Surging welterweight contender Prates (21-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has earned Performance of the Night bonuses in all four of his knockout wins in the UFC. The Brazilian is part of the red-hot Fighting Nerds team, which has produced Caio Borralho, Jean Silva, and Mauricio Ruffy.

Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates odds

According to BetWay, Machado Garry is a slight -138 favorite to hand Prates his first octagon loss. Prates is a +110 underdog.

How to watch Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates at UFC on ESPN 66

  • When: Saturday, April 26, 2025
  • Where: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Mo.
  • Broadcast/streaming: ESPN, ESPN+

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 66.

Paul Felder: Ian Machado Garry stepping up for UFC Kansas City will give him promotional push

Paul Felder expects Ian Machado Garry to get preferential treatment from the UFC after stepping up on short notice again.

[autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag] expects [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] to get preferential treatment from the UFC after stepping up on short notice again.

Machado Garry (15-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) takes on Carlos Prates (21-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC) April 26 in the UFC on ESPN 66 main event at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. The main event came together on short notice after the original headliner between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree was scrapped.

Machado Garry didn’t have a fight booked, whereas Prates was already in camp for Geoff Neal at UFC 314 on April 12, before Neal withdrew. This will mark the second-straight time Garry takes a short-notice fight after he was pulled from his UFC on ESPN 63 headliner vs. Joaquin Buckley to face Shavkat Rakhmonov a week earlier in a five-round title eliminator at UFC 310. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

“I’ve got to give a huge shoutout to Ian Machado Garry for stepping in yet again against a top contender, against a very dangerous opponent like Carlos Prates, who’s just been on a roll since he’s entered the UFC – knocking everybody out, finishing everyone,” Felder told ESPN. “But Ian Garry knows that these are the moments that you have to take advantage of.

“These are the moments that the UFC is going to give you favors later on in your career, is going to try and help push you to the top. You scratch their back, they’ll scratch yours. I love it. He’s showing that he’s got the toughness and is not afraid of anybody in this division.”

Prates has torn through his opposition so far in the UFC, earning Performance of the Night bonuses in all four of his knockout wins – most recently Neil Magny in the UFC Fight Night 247 main event.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 66.

Michael Bisping: ‘Fair play’ to Ian Machado Garry for fighting Carlos Prates at UFC on ESPN 66

Michael Bisping credits Ian Machado Garry for facing Carlos Prates on short notice.

[autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] credits [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] for facing [autotag]Carlos Prates[/autotag] on short notice.

Garry (15-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) takes on Prates (21-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC) April 26 in the UFC on ESPN 66 main event at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Prates was already in camp, but for Geoff Neal at UFC 314 on April 12. His bout was scrapped when Neal withdrew. Machado Garry didn’t have a fight booked, but jumped on the opportunity when the promotion was offered a new UFC on ESPN 66 main event after Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree was canceled.

“I think it makes all the sense in the world,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “For Carlos Prates, it’s a chance to get a big win over somebody like Ian Garry. And for Ian Machado Garry, he gets to step in there with a hot prospect right now. Someone that’s knocking everybody out, someone that’s a lot of fun, someone that likes to party, someone who doesn’t give a sh*t what people think.”

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This marks the second-straight time Garry will be facing a dangerous contender on short notice. This past December, Garry was pulled from his UFC on ESPN 63 headliner vs. Joaquin Buckley in order to face Shavkat Rakhmonov a week earlier in a five-round title eliminator at UFC 310. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

“Fair play to Ian Garry for stepping up to the plate here because this is not an easy matchup,” Bisping said. “Ian Garry, what is he going to do? I don’t think he’s going to go out there and look to take down Carlos Prates. Yes, of course it’s mixed martial arts, but Carlos Prates training with the Fighting Nerds, these guys are ready for everything.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 66.

Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Heili Alateng joins UFC on ESPN 66 lineup

A matchup between rising bantamweights has been added to UFC on ESPN 66.

A matchup between rising bantamweights has been added to UFC on ESPN 66.

[autotag]Da’Mon Blackshear[/autotag](16-7-1 MMA, 4-3-1 UFC) takes on [autotag]Alatengheili[/autotag] (17-9-2 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) April 26 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the matchup but asked to remain anonymous because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Blackshear will make a very quick turnaround after competing less than three weeks ago. The 30-year-old was able to snap a two-fight losing skid with submission finishes over Cody Stamann, and most recently Cody Gibson at UFC Fight Night 254 in March.

Fight Ready’s Alatengheili has won three of his past four. He hasn’t competed since a unanimous decision win over Kleydson Rodrigues at UFC Fight Night 241 this past May.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night event in Kanas City includes:

  • Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates
  • Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang
  • Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama
  • Michel Pereira vs. Abus Magomedov
  • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz
  • Randy Brown vs. Nicolas Dalby
  • Jimmy Flick vs. Matt Schnell
  • Evan Elder vs. Ahmad Hassanzada
  • Jaqueline Amorim vs. Polyana Viana
  • Cameron Saaiman vs. Malcolm Wellmaker
  • Chelsea Chandler vs. Joselyne Edwards
  • Heili Alateng vs. Da’Mon Blackshear

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 66.

Ian Machado Garry reacts to short-notice Carlos Prates headliner with excitement

Ian Machado Garry relishes the opportunity to save the UFC on ESPN 66 main event.

[autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] relishes the opportunity to save UFC on ESPN 66.

After the original headliner between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree was scrapped due to a Hill injury, the UFC needed a big fight to fill the spot. The promotion ended up with an exciting welterweight matchup between Machado Garry (15-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) and [autotag]Carlos Prates[/autotag] (21-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC), which takes place April 26 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Despite not having a fight booked, Machado Garry said he had no hesitation to accept the UFC’s call. Meanwhile, Prates was already in camp to fight Geoff Neal at UFC 314 on April 12 before Neal was forced out.

“Right, it’s official. You’ve got a new main event,” Garry said on his Instagram. “Kansas City, Missouri, me vs. Carlos Prates, April 26, I’m excited. Why? The UFC go, ‘Ah, we need someone. Who do we need? Who do we call?’ You call me. Why? Because I’m a real fighter who wants to fight the best in the world.

“I’m going to show everybody how good I am. Carlos Prates is awesome, but this is my world. I love to fight. There’s nothing more I love in this world than fighting. Kansas City, Missouri, let’s go. Ireland, get your tickets, get your flights. Brazil, get your tickets, get your flights.”

Machado Garry will look to rebound from his first-career loss, a unanimous decision to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 this past December. Surging contender Prates has torn through his competition in the UFC so far, scoring four knockouts and four Performance of the Night bonuses – most recently over Neil Magny in the UFC Fight Night 247 main event in November.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 66.

Khalil Rountree Jr. reacts to Jamahal Hill injury, cancellation of UFC Kansas City main event

Khalil Rountree Jr. was set to face Jamahal Hill in the UFC Kansas City main event, but an injury changed those plans.

[autotag]Khalil Rountree Jr.[/autotag] was set to headliner the upcoming UFC event in Kansas City, Mo., but his former champion opponent suffered an injury.

The fight was set to close the show at UFC on ESPN 66 at T-Mobile Center on April 26, but now, Rountree Jr. (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) is left without an opponent due to Jamahal Hill suffering an undisclosed injury. The new main event of the card will be a welterweight showdown between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates.

Tuesday evening, Rountree Jr. released a video on his YouTube channel reacting to the news.

“So, I just got off the phone with the UFC, and it appears that Jamahal Hill is injured, not able to fight in Kansas City on the 26th of April,” Rountree Jr. said. “So, looks like I’m out of a fight, and it’s going to be postponed. I don’t know when, but it looks like that’s the case so far.

“I have no idea what the issue is. All I know is that UFC told me that he had to pull out due to an injury. Usually they don’t give too many details as to what the injury is or whatever, but they did tell me that it was an injury and that he needed more time to recover from this injury, which is why they’re going to postpone the fight.”

The fight was to be Rountree Jr.’s first fight since being stopped in a title fight against then-champion Alex Pereira at UFC 307 in October. Rountree Jr. won five straight fights to get the call to fight for the title, and although he took home part of the Fight of the Night bonus, he did not take home the title.

Rountree Jr. hopes the matchup against Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) stays together in order to get back to another shot at the light heavyweight title, which is now held by Magomed Ankalaev. He admits the news is a little upsetting, but he also feels bad for the fans who may have already made travel arrangements to watch his fight in Kansas City.

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Ian Machado Garry returns to fight Carlos Prates in new UFC Kansas City headliner

A new matchup between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates now sits at the top of the UFC event headling to Kansas City in April.

The UFC on ESPN 66 event set for Kansas City, Mo., now has a new headliner.

On April 26 at T-Mobile Center, Ian Machado Garry returns to action to face the surging Carlos Prates in an exciting welterweight headliner. The new main event replaces Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree, which was the initial headliner for the event. The promotion officially announced the news Tuesday.

Ireland’s Machado Garry (15-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) will look to rebound from the first professional loss of his career. At UFC 310 in December, the previously undefeated contender came up short on the scorecards against unbeaten Shavkat Rakhmonov in what was billed as a title eliminator. Machado Garry won his first eight UFC fights, a streak that included three finishes.

Brazil’s Prates (21-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC) had a banner debut year in 2024. He racked up four wins with four stoppages and four Performance of the Night bonuses. Trevin Giles, Charles Radtke, Li Jingliang and Neil Magny were all stopped before the end of Round 2.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night event in Kanas City includes:

  • Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates
  • Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang
  • Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama
  • Michel Pereira vs. Abus Magomedov
  • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz
  • Randy Brown vs. Nicolas Dalby
  • Jimmy Flick vs. Matt Schnell
  • Evan Elder vs. Ahmad Hassanzada
  • Jaqueline Amorim vs. Polyana Viana
  • Cameron Saaiman vs. Malcolm Wellmaker
  • Chelsea Chandler vs. Joselyne Edwards

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