Our fight picks for UFC Fight Night: Machado Garry vs. Prates!

  This article in a nutshell:

• UFC Fight Night: Machado Garry vs. Prates goes down this Saturday, April 26, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.

• Surging welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry takes on Brazilian knockout artist Carlos Prates in the main event. Ian enters as a slight favorite, and we predict that he takes a decision.

• The co-main features light heavyweight vet Anthony Smith facing dangerous finisher Zhang Mingyang. Zhang is a major odds favorite. We predict a 1st round TKO by Zhang.

• Also on the card: Giga Chikadze returns vs. David Onama, Michel Pereira battles Abus Magomedov, and Ikram Aliskerov meets submission specialist Andre Muniz.

On April 26, 2025, the UFC rolls into Kansas City for a stacked Fight Night headlined by undefeated Irish welterweight Ian Machado Garry taking on knockout artist Carlos Prates in a high-stakes battle.

The co-main event features the return of Anthony Smith against Chinese powerhouse Zhang Mingyang in a clash with ranking implications at 205 lbs.

The card also boasts top-15 featherweights, middleweight contenders, and rising stars across divisions. Airing live on UFC Fight Pass, this is a can't-miss card for hardcore and casual fans alike.

Main Card (UFC Fight Pass, 9 p.m. ET)

Main Event: Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates (Welterweight)

General consensus: Garry (-130) enters as a slight favorite over Prates (+110).

Our prediction: Garry wins by decision.

Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry (14-0) puts his unbeaten streak on the line against Carlos Prates (18-6), a dangerous striker riding high off two UFC KOs. Garry’s sharp footwork, range control, and calculated pace are designed to neutralize pressure. Prates will look to chop the legs and close distance.

Ian was recently quoted as saying the following ahead of the fight:

"I'm gonna put this guy to sleep, I'm gonna leave him unconscious, and then I'm gonna go and I'm gonna fight for the belt, that's my plan."

..with Carlos responding in similar fashion:

"April 26, I’m gonna punch him in the mouth. Then, he’ll keep saying he didn’t have time to train… Who was on the Internet talking s***? A-hole."

We expect Garry to stay composed, pick his spots, and outpoint Prates over three rounds.

The pick: Garry by decision — staying unbeaten, but tested.

Co-Main Event: Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang (Light Heavyweight)

General consensus: Zhang is a massive -500 favorite.

Our prediction: Zhang wins by TKO, Round 1.

Anthony Smith (37-19), a former title challenger, returns for another war — but he’s got a tall task in Zhang Mingyang (17-2), who’s on a rampage with 12 KOs. Zhang’s power and speed are too much for aging vets. Unless Smith drags it into deep waters, it’ll be a quick night.

The pick: Zhang by TKO, Round 1.

Other Key Fights from UFC on ESPN 63

Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama (Featherweight)

General consensus: Onama (-180) is a slight favorite over Chikadze (+150).

Our prediction: Onama wins by TKO.

Chikadze (15-4) returns after injury setbacks, while Onama (13-2) has looked like a future contender with violent finishes. Chikadze’s kicks are lethal but slow to start. If Onama presses early, the pace might overwhelm him.

The pick: Onama by TKO in Round 2.

Michel Pereira vs. Abus Magomedov (Middleweight)

General consensus: Pereira (-162) favored to win.

Our prediction: Pereira by decision.

Flashy, unpredictable Michel Pereira (30-11) takes on Abus Magomedov (25-6-1), who’s still trying to find footing after his UFC debut fizzled. Pereira should be the more active, mobile striker and can avoid prolonged grappling exchanges.

The pick: Pereira by decision.

Randy Brown vs. Nicolas Dalby (Welterweight)

General consensus: Brown (-238) is the clear favorite.

Our prediction: Brown wins by decision.

Randy Brown (18-5) has the size, jab, and experience to outwork Nicolas Dalby (23-4-1). Dalby is gritty but hittable. Expect Brown to keep it long and rack up volume.

The pick: Brown by decision.

Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz (Middleweight)

General consensus: Aliskerov is a huge -650 favorite.

Our prediction: Aliskerov wins by TKO, Round 1.

Aliskerov (15-1) is a destroyer. Andre Muniz (23-6) is a submission threat, but his chin and striking defense leave him vulnerable. Aliskerov will likely stuff the takedowns and land something nasty early.

The pick: Aliskerov by TKO, Round 1.

Main card

Fight	Our prediction
Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates (WW)	Ian Machado Garry wins by decision
Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang (LHW)	Zhang Mingyang wins by TKO (Round 1)
Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama (FW)	David Onama wins by TKO (Round 2)
Michel Pereira vs. Abus Magomedov (MW)	Michel Pereira wins by decision
Randy Brown vs. Nicolas Dalby (WW)	Randy Brown wins by decision
Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz (MW)	Ikram Aliskerov wins by TKO (Round 1)

Preliminary card

Fight	Our prediction
Matt Schnell vs. Jimmy Flick (FLW)	Matt Schnell wins by KO
Evan Elder vs. Gauge Young (LW)	Evan Elder wins by decision
Chris Gutierrez vs. John Castaneda (FW)	Chris Gutierrez wins by split decision
Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Alatengheili (BW)	Alatengheili wins by submission
Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Cameron Saaiman (BW)	Cameron Saaiman wins by TKO
Jaqueline Amorim vs. Polyana Viana (WSW)	Jaqueline Amorim wins by submission
Timmy Cuamba vs. Roberto Romero (FW)	Roberto Romero wins by decision
Chelsea Chandler vs. Joselyne Edwards (WBW)	Joselyne Edwards wins by decision

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