On Sunday, November 16, 2025, Carlos Prates didn’t just beat Leon Edwards—he rewrote the story of his career in 2.08 seconds. The Brazilian welterweight landed a left hand so precise, so brutal, that it lifted the former UFC champion clean off his feet and sent him crashing to the canvas at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was the first time in 26 professional fights—spanning 14 years—that Edwards, the two-time interim champion and defensive mastermind, had ever been knocked out. And it wasn’t just a fluke. It was a masterclass in timing, leverage, and devastating power.
The Knockout That Changed Everything
At 2:08 of round two, Prates, a 30-year-old striker from Belo Horizonte who trains at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand, feinted, touched Edwards’ lead hand, and slipped inside his guard. Edwards, a southpaw from Kingston, Jamaica who calls Birmingham, England home, made a rare mistake—switching to orthodox mid-combination. Prates didn’t hesitate. He fired a left hook that didn’t just land—it launched. Edwards’ body went rigid, his legs vanished from under him, and he hit the mat like a sack of bricks. The crowd went silent. Then erupted.
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan, watching live on ESPN+, didn’t even finish his sentence: “Look at the right foot of Prates. The foot battle’s won. Leon’s lined up. He throws that left hand and drops him.” No exaggeration. No hype. Just cold, hard observation. Edwards, who had weathered storms from Kamaru Usman and Belal Muhammad, had never been finished by strikes. Now, he was.
Why This Knockout Wasn’t Just Lucky
It wasn’t power alone. It was physics. MindSmash’s frame-by-frame breakdown showed Prates didn’t wind up—he didn’t pivot. He used Edwards’ own forward momentum against him. The punch landed flush on the jaw as Edwards’ head was still rotating forward from his stance switch. That’s not luck. That’s engineering. The force didn’t come from Prates’ hips or shoulders—it came from the perfect alignment of his entire body, his lead foot planted, his elbow locked, and his wrist snapped like a whip. One analyst compared it to being hit with a taser. Another said it looked like Edwards “disconnected” from reality.
Prates’ record now stands at 20-5 overall, 3-0 in the UFC since his debut in April 2024. All three wins have come by knockout or TKO. He’s not just rising—he’s exploding. Meanwhile, Edwards, 33, now carries three straight losses: to Usman in March 2024, to Muhammad in September 2024, and now this. All three were decisive. All three shattered his aura of invincibility.
The Fallout: A Division in Chaos
The welterweight division is now a puzzle with one missing piece. Belal Muhammad, the current champion, won the title from Edwards in a 2024 decision and has been waiting for his next challenger. Until now, the logical next step was Edwards—or maybe a rematch. But that path is gone. Now, the question isn’t whether Prates deserves a title shot—it’s whether the UFC can afford to wait. Bloody Elbow’s post-fight analysis titled “Is Carlos Prates the next title contender?” didn’t just ask the question—it answered it. “He earned it,” the piece concluded. “This wasn’t a fluke. This was a statement.”
Even outside the Octagon, the shockwaves hit. Melany Morejon, wife of San Diego Padres pitcher Adrian Morejon, posted a video of herself screaming at her TV. “I didn’t know you could knock someone out like that,” she wrote. An anonymous UFC fighter told MMA Fighting, “It’s like he hits people with a taser. You don’t see Leon Edwards go down like that. Not ever.”
What’s Next? The Title Shot Looms
UFC matchmaking isn’t always logical—but it’s rarely this obvious. With Edwards’ momentum gone and Muhammad’s reign hanging over a growing field of contenders, Prates is now the only name that makes sense. The UFC’s next pay-per-view is scheduled for February 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. That’s the perfect stage. A title fight between Muhammad and Prates would be the kind of event that sells out the T-Mobile Arena in minutes.
And if the UFC hesitates? They risk losing credibility. Fans don’t want a rematch of the same two guys. They want a new king. Prates didn’t just beat a champion—he exposed a crack in the foundation of the division. Now, the question isn’t who’s next. It’s who dares to step in front of him.
Background: The Rise of a Silent Assassin
Prates entered the UFC with little fanfare. He was a 17-5 fighter with six wins by KO, but mostly from regional promotions in Brazil. He didn’t have a flashy social media presence. No viral knockouts. Just quiet, relentless efficiency. His move to Tiger Muay Thai in 2023 changed everything. Under coach Kru Yodtong, he sharpened his angles, refined his footwork, and learned to strike like a surgeon instead of a brawler. His first UFC win came against Da’Mon Blackshear in April 2024—a TKO in round two. Then came a brutal one-punch finish of Kevin Jousset in August. And now? This.
Edwards, by contrast, was once considered the most technically complete welterweight in the world. His defensive posture, movement, and counter-striking made him nearly untouchable. He beat Usman twice. He held the title for 16 months. But age, wear, and now—this punch—have exposed vulnerability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Carlos Prates’ punch generate so much power without a big wind-up?
Prates didn’t rely on brute force—he used timing and alignment. His lead foot planted as Edwards shifted stance, creating a stable base. The punch came from a straight line, with his elbow fully extended and wrist locked, transferring energy directly into Edwards’ jaw. Frame-by-frame analysis shows Edwards’ head was still moving forward when hit, amplifying the impact. It was physics, not power.
Why is this knockout so significant for Leon Edwards’ legacy?
Edwards had never been finished in 26 pro fights—his three losses were all by decision, including to Usman and Muhammad. His legendary chin and defensive skills made him the toughest guy in the division. This knockout doesn’t just end a streak—it shatters the perception of his durability. For a fighter who once looked untouchable, this loss raises serious questions about his future at the top level.
Is Carlos Prates now the top contender for the welterweight title?
Yes, unequivocally. With Belal Muhammad’s three previous wins coming over Edwards and others who’ve now lost, Prates is the only fighter who’s beaten a former champ in the most decisive way possible. Bloody Elbow and ESPN analysts agree: if the UFC doesn’t match Prates against Muhammad next, they risk alienating fans who want meaningful matchups, not rematches.
What does this mean for the UFC’s welterweight division moving forward?
The division is now wide open. Edwards is out of title contention for now. Usman is retired. Muhammad’s reign is under pressure. Prates, along with rising names like Santiago Ponzinibbio and Vicente Luque, now form a new tier of contenders. The UFC’s next move will define whether they prioritize legacy or momentum—and right now, momentum is screaming for Prates.
Has any other UFC fighter ever knocked out Leon Edwards before?
No. Not once in 26 professional fights spanning 14 years. Edwards had been taken to decision by everyone from Usman to Muhammad, but never finished by strikes. His only previous losses were all by unanimous decision. Prates didn’t just win—he made history by becoming the first to end Edwards’ career on his feet.
Where will the next fight between Prates and Muhammad likely take place?
Based on UFC scheduling patterns, the most likely venue is the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, during their February 2026 pay-per-view event. That’s the traditional slot for major title fights after a blockbuster main event like UFC 322. A New York rematch is unlikely—the UFC rarely returns to the same city so quickly for a title bout.
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Caden Fitzroy
Hi, I'm Caden Fitzroy, a passionate blogger and forum enthusiast. I specialize in creating engaging and informative content for various online communities. My ultimate goal is to bring people together and facilitate meaningful discussions through my writing. I'm constantly exploring new trends and topics within the forum world, so that I can share my expertise and insights with a wider audience. Join me on this journey as we dive deep into the fascinating world of forums and online communities!
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