Jorge Masvidal has never been one to hold back praise, and after watching Carlos Prates dismantle former welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Fight Night, "Gamebred" is ready to anoint the Brazilian as the next big thing in the sport.
"I really think Carlos is something scary," Masvidal said on Monday's episode of "Deep Waters." The former BMF champion drew a colorful comparison to explain Prates' unique vibe: "He reminds me of those soccer players that stay out late, smoke cigarettes, they drink a little bit of alcohol, but when you give them the ball, they put four goals out like that Ronaldinho guy."
It's a fitting analogy. Prates is one of the rare elite fighters who doesn't hide his off-court habits—he's been known to light up a cigarette even at post-fight press conferences, like after his spinning back elbow knockout of Geoff Neal at UFC 319. But those vices haven't dulled his edge inside the Octagon. Saturday's destructive stoppage of Della Maddalena marked Prates' third straight knockout win and his seventh finish in eight UFC fights.
"The way that he's fighting right now is crazy," Masvidal continued. "He's my current favorite fighter right now. He's the most violent guy right now that I've seen. It's just elbow after knee after elbow, so fluid with heavy tools of destruction. There's no pitty patting, everything he's throwing is to end your life, and he's doing it with so much style and grace."
Masvidal believes that kind of violence deserves a title opportunity—or at least a shot at the BMF belt he once held. "I think he's the best fighter right now for violence. If he's not fighting for the belt, he's fighting for the BMF belt."
The path to UFC gold isn't straightforward. Prates' lone Octagon loss came against Ian Machado Garry in April 2025, and Garry is widely expected to be next in line for welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. That puts Prates a step or two back from a title shot. But the BMF picture is more open. Charles Oliveira won that belt by outgrappling Max Holloway at UFC 326 in March and doesn't have a return date set yet.
For now, Prates has the attention of one of the sport's most iconic fighters—and a growing fanbase that loves his blend of calculated chaos and undeniable finishing power. As Masvidal put it, "He's the best fighter right now for violence." And in a sport where excitement sells, that might be the highest compliment of all.