With UFC 314 still fresh in the minds of fans and the buzz from its blockbuster pay-per-view showing yet to settle, the UFC is hitting pause, albeit briefly. The promotion is taking a short breather, but not for long, as the Octagon action returns in full force with UFC on ESPN 66, marking the UFC’s third trip to Kansas City. Scheduled for April 26th at the T-Mobile Arena. Headlining the night is a high-stakes welterweight battle between Ian Garry and Carlos Prates—a matchup that’s already generating serious anticipation. Both fighters are eager to climb the welterweight ranks, and this bout presents a pivotal opportunity to move closer to the title picture.

While a shot at the championship may not be immediately on the horizon, the implications for the division are clear. A victory would elevate their rankings, with ‘The Nightmare’ eyeing a spot in the top 10, while ‘The Future’ is focused on breaking into the top 5. This potential shake-up adds extra weight to the Garry vs. Prates bout, making it a must-watch for anyone invested in the welterweight title race. With so much on the line, it’s time to break down the key details of this highly anticipated showdown. Let’s take a closer look at Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates, analyzing their physical attributes, fighting styles, and what each fighter brings to the Octagon ahead of their T-Mobile Arena encounter.

Garry vs. Prates height and reach comparison

Despite Carlos Prates being shorter than Ian Garry, the two fighters have a noticeable reach disparity. Prates stands at 6’1″ with a reach of 78 inches, while the Irishman is taller at 6’3″, but has a 74-inch reach. However, reach isn’t the only determining factor in this bout. ‘The Future’s last two opponents, excluding Shavkat Rakhmonov, had a reach advantage, including notable fighters like Michael “Venom” Page and Geoff Neal, both of whom out-reach Garry. Page, for instance, boasted a 79-inch reach but still struggled to make it work against the 27-year-old, losing by unanimous decision.

Carlos Prates, on the other hand, is undefeated in the UFC, with a flawless record. One of the keys to his success has been his ability to finish fights, particularly via knockouts, which makes him a constant threat inside the Octagon. While height and reach often play a crucial role in the outcome of many fights, this matchup between Ian Garry and ‘The Nightmare’ challenges those conventional norms. Despite the Brazilian’ reach disadvantage, he has shown the ability to defend well and control the pace of his fights.

Garry, despite his height advantage, had difficulty taking down Shavkat Rakhmonov, who stands at 6’1″ and is considered a top prospect in the welterweight division. Rakhmonov formerly boasted a 100% finish rate, and although the Irishman handed him his only decision win at UFC 310, Rakhmonov remains a dangerous and well-rounded fighter. Now, let’s move to the duo’s weight.

Who weighs more, Ian Garry or Carlos Prates?

It’s often assumed that the taller fighter naturally carries more weight, but that theory doesn’t quite hold up when comparing Ian Garry and Carlos Prates. Despite ‘The Future’s towering frame for a welterweight, his walkaround weight is surprisingly modest. According to UFC 298 weight data shared by Aaron Bronsteter on X last year, Garry gained back only about 6% of his body weight after weigh-ins—roughly 10 pounds. That puts his fight night weight at around 180lbs, just slightly above the 170-pound limit.

In contrast, Prates revealed in an interview with James Lynch (as reported by CrashMMA on Instagram) that he walks around at approximately 178 pounds, cutting down to 170lbs for competition. He also mentioned working closely with a nutritionist to boost his strength and conditioning. So, while both fighters enter the cage at nearly the same weight, Ian Garry, despite being 2 inches taller, doesn’t hold a major size advantage. In fact, based on recent data, he may even weigh a bit more than the Brazilian come fight night.

This leads us to the real question: with UFC on ESPN 66 headlined by this high-stakes welterweight showdown, who really holds the upper hand? Can Ian Garry leverage his height, slick striking, and undefeated record to neutralize the longer reach of Carlos Prates? Or will Prates’ devastating knockout power and reach advantage be the deciding factor? Let us know your take—who do you think walks away with the win in this rising welterweight clash?