Carlos Prates expressed his feelings of grief on social media following his tough loss to Ian Machado Garry at UFC Kansas City. It was a humiliating experience for Prates, who entered the Octagon with a strong record, hoping to extend his winning run since entering the UFC in late 2023. Despite Prates’ attempts to rally, Garry’s greater talent and precision resulted in a resounding victory, leaving the Brazilian fighter with a lot to work on in the foreseeable future. However, it wasn’t just fans who had strong opinions about Prates’ performance.

Saidyokub Kakhramonov, a fellow MMA fighter with a successful UFC record, took to X to critique Prates’ attitude. Kakhramonov, who has faced his own issues in the UFC and has been vocal about fighter discipline, criticized Prates’ lifestyle choices for a lack of devotion. “You can’t smoke w— or cigarettes, consume alcohol, and expect to become a world champion,” Kakhramonov wrote.

“You might win a few fights, but reaching the top requires discipline, sacrifices, and missing birthdays, weddings, and holidays while constantly growing. That’s what makes a champion. Good job Ian,” he further added.

It is worth noting that this scathing post came after ‘The Nightmare’ apologized to his fans for failing to end the fight. He wrote on X, “Unfortunately I couldn’t end the fight, and that wasn’t enough! Sorry family, I’ll come back stronger!” So when Kakhramonov wrote the post, it struck a chord with many, raising attention to the sacrifices fighters make to compete at the top level.

Carlos Prates had publicly acknowledged smoking up to ten cigarettes each day in preparation for the fight, which is unusual given the demands of professional MMA. While ‘The Nightmare’ expressed his desire to “smoke less” and become more athletic, his admission raised eyebrows in a sport where discipline and physical conditioning are essential.

Saidyokub Kakhramonov’s statements, while harsh, were a call to action, underlining the significance of living a healthy and focused lifestyle if one wants to compete at the highest level of the sport. It is obvious that Prates still has the potential to improve.

Carlos Prates’ UFC career is still beginning, and while his recent loss is painful, it also teaches him an important lesson about the value of discipline in MMA. Maybe this recent fight might’ve been Prates’ wake-up call to completely commit to the tough demands of professional MMA. But this total addiction surely makes many wonder—why does ‘The Nightmare’ even smoke so much?

The reason behind Carlos Prates’ smoking addiction

Saidyokub Kakhramonov’s criticism of Carlos Prates is more than just a plea for discipline in the sport; it raises concerns about the Brazilian welterweight’s lifestyle choices, specifically his smoking habits. Many people find the thought of a UFC fighter picking up a cigarette funny, if not ludicrous, but ‘The Nightmare’ sees it as a stark reality. Prates’ smoking addiction appears to be a complex component of his personal journey, combining rebellion and habit. But what is the explanation for this unusual combination of addiction and athleticism?

Prates’ smoking addiction is more than just an awful habit; it has deep roots in his childhood. Growing up in a difficult home, with a mother working long hours as the primary provider for their family, ‘The Nightmare’ sought refuge on the streets. In an interview, he claimed that he began smoking when he was 12 or 13 as a way of dealing with loneliness and a lack of supervision.

“When you spend a lot of time on the street, you learn a lot of bad things,” he said. His mother’s absence left him to navigate adolescence without supervision, and smoking became a sort of rebellion, a friend in his loneliness. Despite this, it wasn’t simply the smokes that defined Carlos Prates’ career; he also started training in Muay Thai, first in Thailand, and now at Vale Top Team, which provided him with a way out, albeit one clouded by his addiction.

The weird contradiction of Prates’ life is that his smoking and MMA careers appear to coexist, with both feeding into the other. Prates, like previous fighters such as Ricardo Mayorga, Kazushi Sakuraba, and Jean-Charles Skarbowsky, has walked a narrow line between fighting and indulging in his vices. These legends did not let their habits define their professions, but they did contribute a sense of rebellion to their identities.

But this balance comes at a cost—Prates revealed that his attempts to quit smoking resulted in significant weight gain. So, it seems like a tough road ahead for him, but one that he will have to take. What do you think? Will he be a much better fighter if he fights his demons? Let us know in the comments.