UFC 319: Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates Preview & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
The main card action at UFC 319 heats up with a thrilling welterweight showdown between two dangerous strikers, as American Geoff Neal takes on Brazil’s Carlos Prates.
Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates facts
What time are Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 319: Du Plessis vs Chimaev? United Center, Chicago, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 319: Du Plessis vs Chimaev? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 319
What TV channel is UFC 319: Du Plessis vs Chimaev on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC 319: Du Plessis vs Chimaev? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 319: De Plessis vs Chimaev main card
Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev (Middleweight)
Lerone Murphy vs Aaron Pico (Featherweight)
Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates (Welterweight)
Jared Cannonier vs Michael Page (Middleweight)
Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura (Flyweight)
UFC 319: De Plessis vs Chimaev prelims
Gerald Meerschaert vs Michal Oleksiejczuk (Middleweight)
Baysangur Susurkaev vs Eric Nolan (Middleweight)
Jessica Andrade vs Loopy Godinez (Women’s Strawweight)
Chase Hooper vs Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight)
Edson Barboza vs Drakkar Klose (Lightweight)
Bryan Battle vs Nursulton Ruziboev (Middleweight)
Karine Silva vs Dione Barbosa (Women’s Flyweight)
Alibi Idiris vs Joseph Morales (Flyweight)
Geoff Neal: 'Handz of Steel' targeting top-tier resurgence
Geoff Neal (16-6) enters this bout on the back of a first-round win over Rafael dos Anjos in October 2024, reasserting himself in the stacked welterweight division. Prior to that, he suffered consecutive losses to elite contenders Ian Garry (via split decision) and Shavkat Rakhmonov (via third-round submission). Despite the setbacks, Neal’s performances against two of the division’s top talents have kept him firmly in the top-15 conversation.
Boasting an 8-4 UFC record and a 63% career KO rate, Neal has some of the heaviest hands in the division. His resume includes victories over Vicente Luque and former champion Belal Muhammad — proof that he can hang with the best. Training under the respected Sayif Saud at Fortis MMA in Dallas, Neal brings elite-level boxing and grit into every fight. However, he does have a tendency to head-hunt and can struggle against rangier, more technical strikers who keep him at distance — as seen in his loss to Ian Garry.
Carlos Prates: Brazilian sniper desperate to remind the division of his power
Carlos Prates (21-7) saw his momentum halted in April 2025 when he dropped a unanimous decision to Ian Garry. Before that, the 31-year-old had gone 4-0 in the UFC, with every win coming via knockout — including impressive finishes over Neil Magny and Li Jingliang.
A product of the surging Fighting Nerds gym in São Paulo, Prates is a rangy, powerful kickboxer with an extensive Muay Thai background. He excels at maintaining distance and landing power shots from long range, using his frame to full effect. However, his last fight exposed some flaws in his fight IQ, particularly his tendency to wait too long before engaging — a mistake he can’t afford to repeat against someone as dangerous as Neal.
Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates prediction
This has all the ingredients for a fan-friendly shoot-out between two ranked welterweights, with Neal currently sitting at #11 and Prates just behind at #12. Both men carry serious knockout power and love to strike. While Neal is the more proven name with big wins under his belt, Prates brings youth and a more diverse striking game.
I expect Neal to bite down on his gumshield and weather the early exchanges, making it a gritty affair in the opening round. However, as the fight wears on, Prates' range, volume, and shot selection should begin to take over. Whether he finds a late stoppage or pulls away on the scorecards, the momentum looks to be with the Brazilian.
Prediction: Carlos Prates over 1.5 rounds
