Prates is confident that a victory over Jack
Della Maddalena in the UFC Perth
headliner on Saturday will lead to a welterweight title shot.
“I think it’s the natural path. I just knocked out a former
champion [Leon
Edwards]. “If I can knock out another one, even more so
fighting in his home country, I think the title shot will come,”
Prates said in an interview with Brazilian journalist Laerte
Viana.
The Fighting Nerds standout made it clear that he is prepared
for the best version of the former champion.
“I’m coming prepared to face a guy who lost the belt and is coming
full of hate and with the support of his fans to reclaim his belt
and show that he’s alive in the division, ready to fight for five
rounds in the toughest fight of his life,” Prates said. “I prepared
for this, but I hope it won’t be. Hopefully I’ll land two punches
in the first round and he’ll go with God.”
Planning Another Highlight
Prates, who has been victorious in six of his seven Octagon
appearances, declined to divulge the details behind his fight
strategy.
“What I can say is that my coaches are very satisfied,” he said.
“I’m a striker and he’s a boxer. I don’t believe he can take me
down and even if he does, I’ll come back standing. If everything
goes as planned, it will be another highlight for the UFC.”