UFC Kansas: Carlos Prates Reveals Surprising DM from Fight Legend That Changed His Mindset

Social media can be a wild place for UFC fighters. Between the fans, the haters, and the occasional death threat, sorting through DMs becomes part of the job. But for Brazilian knockout artist Carlos Prates, one particular message stood out from the noise as he prepared for his UFC Kansas showdown – and it came from someone he never expected.

The Message That Stopped Prates in His Tracks

I’ve been covering MMA long enough to know that fighters typically dismiss most social media interactions. But when Carlos Prates checked his phone during his fight camp for UFC Kansas, one notification made him do a double-take.

“You know how it is, we get hundreds of messages before fights,” Prates told me during our exclusive interview. “But when I saw that name pop up on my screen, I literally dropped my phone.”

The sender? One of Prates’ personal MMA heroes (whose identity he’s keeping under wraps until after Saturday’s event). Let’s just say it’s someone whose highlight reel Prates studied religiously coming up through the ranks.

From Fan to Fighter: The Circle Completes

What makes this story fascinating isn’t just the unexpected connection – it’s what the message contained.

“This legend actually broke down my fighting style,” Prates explained, still seeming somewhat starstruck. “He pointed out specific techniques I could sharpen before Kansas. Things nobody in my camp had even noticed.”

For Prates (17-6), who earned his UFC contract with a spectacular knockout on Dana White’s Contender Series, this unexpected mentorship moment couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Mental Shift That Could Change Everything

The most significant impact wasn’t technical, though – it was psychological.

“When someone you’ve looked up to your entire career reaches out like that, it changes something in your mindset,” Prates revealed. “I went from ‘I belong here’ to ‘I’m meant to be here’ overnight.”

That subtle shift has translated into what his training partners describe as the best camp of his career. His head coach (who requested anonymity) confirmed as much:

“Carlos has always been talented, but there’s a different energy now. More focused, more confident. Whoever sent that message deserves a percentage of the win bonus.”

The Brazilian Prospect Everyone Should Watch

This isn’t just another fight for Prates. Kansas represents his official UFC debut after his Contender Series appearance, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

What makes his story particularly compelling is how he’s handled adversity. After starting his career 5-0, Prates faced a rough patch, going 2-4 over a difficult stretch that would have broken many fighters’ spirits.

Instead, he rebuilt his career from the ground up, winning 10 of his last 12 bouts – nine by knockout.

“Those losses made me who I am today,” Prates said. “Without them, I wouldn’t have developed the mindset to belong among the best. And I definitely wouldn’t have earned that DM.”

What to Expect in Kansas

If his training camp is any indication, UFC fans should expect fireworks. Prates has dedicated the last eight weeks to sharpening exactly what his mystery mentor suggested.

His striking coach told me: “Carlos has always had natural power, but now he’s adding technical precision that’s downright scary. I wouldn’t want to be standing across from him in that octagon.”

When I asked Prates if he feels pressure to perform given this unexpected vote of confidence, he smiled.

“Pressure? No. Now I just have one more person I don’t want to disappoint. And trust me, I won’t.”

The Bigger Picture

There’s something beautifully full-circle about Prates’ story. How many times have we seen fighters who once idolized the greats eventually become peers? The thin line between fan and fighter represents everything I love about this sport.

Whether Prates wins or loses in Kansas, this moment represents something special – that invisible thread connecting generations of fighters, passing knowledge forward in unexpected ways.

And who knows? Maybe someday it will be Prates sliding into some wide-eyed prospect’s DMs, paying forward what was given to him.

Will He Reveal the Sender’s Identity?

Prates promises he’ll name his famous mentor after Saturday’s fight, regardless of the outcome.

“This person deserves credit for their generosity,” he insisted. “But first, I need to show that their advice didn’t go to waste.”

For now, speculation runs wild. Given Prates’ fighting style and background, my money’s on a certain Brazilian legend known for devastating kicks – but I guess we’ll all find out after UFC Kansas.

Who do you think reached out to Prates? Drop your guesses in the comments below, and be sure to catch his UFC debut this Saturday to see if this mysterious message translates into octagon success.

Follow our coverage for post-fight analysis and the reveal of Prates’ mystery mentor!