2 Weeks Out, Calros Prates Loses Opponent In Major Welterweight Bout Scheduled For UFC 314

Carlos Prates loses veteran opponent 2 weeks out from UFC 314 welterweight clash and gets fight scrapped from the card!

2 Weeks Out, Calros Prates Loses Opponent In Major Welterweight Bout Scheduled For UFC 314

MMA is a sport where plans change in an instant. One day you are preparing for the biggest fight of your career, the next you are back to the drawing board. In sayig that, the UFC‘s April calendar just took a hit. Rising star Carlos Prates has lost his opponent for UFC 314 after Geoff Neal suffered an injury forcing him out of their anticipated welterweight clash.

The news broke during Saturday’s UFC Mexico broadcast, leaving fans disappointed about missing what promised to be an explosive matchup between a veteran contender and one of 2024’s breakout fighters. This reality hit Prates hard as he was looking to build on his incredible four-fight win streak, all finishes coming by knockout in either the first or second round. The Brazilian knockout artist has quickly become one of the most feared strikers in the division since joining the UFC roster.

Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates is OFF per UFC broadcast

Pain 😔#UFC314 pic.twitter.com/Ikij9VIIU1
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) March 30, 2025

The cancellation leaves a significant hole in the UFC 314 card scheduled for April 12 in Miami. Currently, the main card sits with just four fights, though the promotion will likely elevate a prelim bout to fill the vacant slot. This reshuffling happens frequently in the unpredictable world of fight sports, but it is particularly unfortunate given the high stakes of this welterweight matchup.

Neal was hoping to build on his recent victory over Rafael dos Anjos last October and reestablish himself as a threat in the division. For Prates, it represented a chance to leap from prospect to contender by defeating a proven UFC veteran. Now both fighters must regroup and adjust their plans accordingly.

Also Read: Jorge Masvidal Wants To Take On the Former UFC Welterweight Champion

What Is Next For Carlos Prates?

While losing this opportunity against an established name like Neal is certainly disappointing, there might be a silver lining for Prates. During the broadcast announcement, commentator Jon Anik teased that the Brazilian might have an even bigger opportunity awaiting him in the near future. “We hope to have some big news on Carlos Prates in the weeks to come.” This cryptic comment has already sparked speculation among fans about who Prates might face next (rumors are floating that Ian Garry might be next)

The UFC typically rewards fighters who maintain their momentum, and few have been as impressive as Prates lately. His string of highlight-reel knockouts has made him a matchmaker’s dream. He is a fighter who delivers excitement every time he steps into the octagon. While details remain scarce about Neal’s injury and recovery timeline, the focus now shifts to what’s next for the Brazilian contender.

(Image Credit: ChampRDS – X)

Carlos Prates

Geoff Neal

UFC 314

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!