UFC 319: Carlos Prates vs Geoff Neal fight preview and fighter interviews

Carlos Prates will face Geoff Neal at UFC 319 this Saturday, August 16, in a rescheduled welterweight bout originally planned for earlier this year. Neal's injury forced a postponement, leading Prates to fight Ian Machado Garry at UFC Kansas City in April instead.

Garry defeated Prates by decision, setting up the rescheduled Neal matchup for UFC 319. The Brazilian fighter addressed the delayed bout during Wednesday's, August 13, media day.

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"Yeah, I think it's the fight that makes sense. We should have fought before, but Geoff got injured and then I fought Ian Garry," Prates (21-7) told media outlets including Cageside Press. "Now, I think the fight makes sense."

Prates reflects on Ian Garry loss and strategic changes

Following his loss to Garry, Prates identified several areas for improvement, including adherence to coaching instructions and fight strategy development.

"Of course Ian is great, he's really smart, really intelligent fighter. But I learned also how to be a complete fighter. It's important," Prates said. "It's time to stop thinking about only bonuses, like knocking people out, bonuses and entertaining people, and just focus on getting the win. Because at the end of the day, getting the win is more important than a bonus or something like that."

The Brazilian fighter emphasized the importance of precision at the UFC's highest level.

"We are on biggest, high level. So small mistakes can change the end of the fight," Prates noted.

UFC 319 fighter responds to Neal's first round knockout prediction

Geoff Neal has stated his preparation focuses on a first-round finish, a claim Prates questioned during UFC 319 media availability. The Brazilian welterweight suggested Neal's short-term thinking could prove problematic if the fight extends beyond the opening frame.

"I know a lot of people like to say something to make the thing become real, but definitely, he says he's going to knock me out in the first round, it's [not] going to become real," Prates countered.

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Prates eyes title shot path following potential Neal victory

A victory over Neal at UFC 319 could position Prates for future title contention, according to the Brazilian fighter's assessment of the welterweight division landscape.

"I think after winning [against] Geoff now, it's going to make a life in the top of the division. When you talk about who is close to the title shot, maybe one, two, three fights, you have some names there. I lost my last fight, so I think my name is not there. But I think after I beat Geoff Neal, my name is going back to the bunch of guys that are close to a title shot. Maybe three fights, one year, can fight for the belt," Prates told Cageside Press.

The welterweight bout between Prates and Neal takes place Saturday as part of the UFC 319 card.