Number 2 UFC welterweight contender Carlos Prates is already contemplating retirement, stating he wishes to compete professionally for only another 3 to 4 years.
The 32-year-old Brazilian fighter holds an impressive UFC record of 7-1, with every single victory achieved by knockout. His most recent triumph was a TKO in the third round against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth. Having consecutively defeated two former champions, Prates is now confident that his next opponent will be the welterweight champion.
However, in a recent conversation with Ariel Helwani, Prates, known as “The Nightmare,” confessed that he already battles significant back pain and severe foot pain on a daily basis. He admitted that there isn’t a single morning he wakes up without experiencing discomfort.
“When I wake up and get out of bed, bro, I can’t even walk properly. I need to wait 20 minutes. I need to wait for my back to stop hurting, my feet.”
Prates expressed a desire to avoid prolonged post-training pain, which has led him to the decision to retire in the next three to four years.
During the same interview, Prates also indicated his interest in fighting Ilia Topuria, should the latter claim the welterweight title and move up to the 170-pound division. This pursuit of a potential superfight suggests that before hanging up his gloves, Carlos Prates is aiming for lucrative matchups and a profitable exit from the sport.
Carlos Prates’ Unusual Sleep Schedule
Carlos Prates deviates from the norm for professional athletes by not prioritizing 7-8 hours of sleep for recovery. In his discussion with Ariel Helwani, “The Nightmare” revealed he is not a fan of extended sleep and typically rests for a maximum of 4 hours on most days.
“Bro, I can’t sleep too much. On normal days, I sleep about 4 hours. I go to sleep around 11 or midnight, and at 1:30 am, I wake up and stay awake all night. Then I sleep again from around 6:30 am until 8:30/9 am, and then I go to the gym.”
