Carlos Prates has requested a battle in opposition to Jacques de la Maddalena on Might 2nd at UFC Perth, and that is what he’ll get subsequent. Moreover going through the previous welterweight champion in the principle occasion, “The Nightmare” had a particular motive for heading to Australia. It was his daughter.
Prates’ 6-year-old daughter lives in Australia, and the Preventing Nerd welterweight was lastly in a position to meet her in particular person after taking her mom, Regina, abroad for the primary time.
Regina is a continuing presence in her son’s life, ensuring he performs at his greatest within the gymnasium and below the intense lights of the UFC. However this time, she has eyes just for her granddaughter.
“She’s not centered on the battle anymore,” Preetz instructed MMA Preventing. “Proper now, it is all about seeing my granddaughter. She’s already forgotten that I am combating. She would not care in any respect (laughs).”
Preetz fought as soon as in Australia as a UFC fighter in 2024, knocking out Li Jinliang. His daughter was additionally in attendance that night time and shall be contained in the RAC Enviornment this Saturday to observe her father tackle Australia’s Della Maddalena.
Prates is used to enjoying in enemy territory and did not thoughts the dangerous environment. “The group boos and cheers, however when the cage closes, it is simply the 2 of them.”
All Preetz cares about now’s making his household proud.
“She likes to battle and she or he trains,” Preetz mentioned of her daughter. “If you happen to do not sluggish her down, she already needs to play battle with everybody. It’s a must to maintain her again (lol).”
Father and daughter are 1000’s of miles aside, separated by the Pacific Ocean, however Prates mentioned they try to be one of the best dad and mom attainable regardless of the space.
“I grew up with out a father,” Preetz mentioned. “My father handed away once I was one and a half years previous, and I met my father, Chris (Coach Nogueira), once I was 15, so I understand how it feels. In fact I do not wish to go far-off. In fact I wish to be along with her (in Brazil), however I do not know when Coach (Wagner) Motta will inform me. ‘And the scenario I am in proper now, if I might, I would deliver her right here and I might dwell there too, however sadly that is not the case and we’ve to cope with it this fashion. ”
Prates mentioned he felt “okay” rising up with out a father till Vale first group head coach Nogueira grew to become a father determine. That does not imply he needs others to have the identical expertise.
“I grew up with out a father, however it did not make any distinction to me as a result of that was the norm,” Platz mentioned. “However I do not need my daughter to really feel the identical manner or assume that manner.”
The Sao Paulo native has loved success within the UFC, profitable six of his seven Octagon appearances by knockout, all with money efficiency bonuses. Prates, who is nearly 33 years previous and has competed in 30 MMA contests along with greater than 100 Muay Thai bouts, would not assume he can maintain this job for lengthy.
“Time is one thing you may’t get again,” Preitz mentioned. “You may’t purchase time. Time flies and I am working like loopy. I noticed my mother yesterday and she or he’s been so busy that it has been about three days since I final noticed her. She’s in her 70s. I must get pleasure from and be along with her.”
After KOing Leon Edwards on Saturday, Preitz is seeking to write his title within the historical past books, defeating two former champions in a row and doubtlessly incomes a shot on the belt with a win. Sarcastically, probably the most tiring a part of his martial arts profession is not the combating.
“Probably the most exhausting factor is the forms and having to cope with points that don’t have anything to do with fight,” Pratz mentioned. “Lately, I have been in a position to delegate extra to the individuals I work with, however it’s nonetheless not every thing. Something that does not contain fight drains me. I believe it drains everybody, not simply me.”
Claiming a bonus each time you win will add a whole lot of zeros to your checking account. Preitz mentioned every thing is completed to supply a greater future for these round him.
“Lucas (Lutkas) is a coach who not solely takes care of us on the fight facet, but in addition takes care of us financially,” Preetz mentioned. “I’ve a complete group working with me. I even have a monetary advisor and an accountant. If it was simply me, there are issues I would not even know existed (laughs). If I needed to do all of it on my own, I would be a multitude.”
