“Smokers do it because they are miserable about it,” once said Allen Carr—a quote that rings especially true for UFC knockout artist Carlos Prates. The Brazilian, who boasts a perfect 6-0 record in the UFC’s welterweight division, has been climbing the ranks at a rapid pace. He’s a key member of the ‘Fighting Nerds’ gym — a powerhouse team whose four standout fighters have combined for an undefeated 24-0 record in the promotion. Among them, Prates has quickly built a reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers at 170 pounds.

But outside the cage, Carlos Prates battles a long-standing vice: smoking. Growing up on the tough streets of Brazil, the habit took root early. Despite his athletic success, critics often question how much longer he can defy the toll smoking takes on his lungs and conditioning. It’s not that ‘The Nightmare’ wants to keep smoking—it’s that he struggles to quit. Opening up about the challenges of quitting, the Brazilian once shared, “I tried to stop one time. I was one week without smoking. Then I gained five kilos in six days.”

That experience showed Carlos Prates that cold-turkey wasn’t the answer. Instead, he focused on controlling the habit rather than eliminating it, while still honing his physical form. Now, he is about to break into the welterweight top 10, set to face the #7-ranked Ian Garry, a fighter many believe is destined for UFC gold. Ahead of this pivotal clash at UFC Kansas, the Brazilian, two weeks back, sat down with Ariel Helwani and addressed the elephant in the room: had he quit smoking ahead of his biggest fight yet? ‘The Nightmare’ was honest.

He hadn’t quit—but he had cut back. “Still doing it,” he said. “I’m still doing five rounds, six rounds, you know. I’m trying to smoke a little bit less, but not because I want to stop. I’m trying to smoke a little bit less because now I’m trying to get heavier and stronger… I’m trying to take care of my health and my body.”

As fight night approaches, the tension between the two fighters has already reached a boiling point. At the ceremonial weigh-ins, Ian Garry and Carlos Prates faced off and exchanged heated words. The Irishman promised, “I am ready to kill,” to which Prates shot back, “Are you ready to die?”

This clash carries massive stakes for both men. For Ian Garry, it marks a pivotal moment—once an undefeated rising star, he now seeks redemption after suffering his first career loss, a grueling five-round war against the division’s nightmare, Shavkat Rakhmonov, at UFC 310. Carlos Prates, on the other hand, is determined to protect his unblemished UFC record. But to do that, he’ll need to overcome a fighter who pushed even the relentless Kazakh phenom to the brink. Despite not being Brazilian, Garry remains confident that the Brazilian fans are standing firmly in his corner.

Ian Garry reacts to Carlos Prates’ smoking addiction

Carlos Prates has made it clear that he’s evolving into a better version of himself, though he understands that transformation takes time. Completely reshaping his habits will require patience. He’s successfully controlled his drinking, now going months without a drop of alcohol, but his struggle with smoking remains a challenge.

The Brazilian isn’t in a rush to change everything overnight. Adopting a “no rush” mentality, he’s taking it one step at a time, improving himself gradually. Aware that the effects of smoking could worsen with age, he’s making steady progress, prioritizing long-term health over immediate results. On the other hand, Ian Garry appears unfazed by Carlos Prates’ smoking habits.

Speaking to the BBC, Garry commented, “The guy smokes cigarettes, and here I am in Brazil — his whole country is rooting for me. That’s his personal choice, and it’s not something I need to get involved in. On Saturday, he’s stepping into the Octagon with a complete professional. I’m going to dominate him, and there’s nothing he can do to stop it. It speaks to the character and the person I am. I’m Dublin born and bred, they call us the fighting Irish for a reason”

With UFC Kansas just hours away, what do you think about Carlos Prates’ smoking habits? Do you believe smoking 10-15 cigarettes a day could hinder his undefeated streak in the promotion? And as for tonight’s fight, do you think it will be a walkover for Ian Garry? Share your thoughts below.