Carlos Prates Claims Knockout of the Month for May with Stunning Victory Over JDM

As May 2026 wraps up, MMA Junkie highlights the standout knockouts from the month, revealing the top five contenders and naming Carlos Prates as the Knockout of the Month winner. The nominees include thrilling performances from various fighters, showcasing the excitement of mixed martial arts.

Among the nominees were Dooho Choi, who triumphed over Daniel Santos at UFC Fight Night 276, and Jason Jackson, who dispatched Jeff Creighton in the first round at MVP MMA 1, celebrating his victory by engaging with Jake Paul. Robelis Despaigne also made waves with his knockout of Junior Dos Santos at MVP MMA 1, while Asael Adjoudj delivered a relentless performance against Keisuke Sasu at PFL Brussels.

The highlight of the month, however, was undoubtedly Carlos Prates' victory against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Fight Night 275. Prates, boasting a record of 24-7 and 7-1 in the UFC, showcased his striking prowess right from the start. He initiated the bout with leg kicks as Della Maddalena pursued him, landing a jab followed by a series of powerful strikes, including a liver shot and a knee strike.

As the second round unfolded, Della Maddalena attempted to control the pace but was met with Prates' fierce counters, including a knee that landed with precision. Despite Della Maddalena’s attempts to secure a takedown and a rear-naked choke, Prates maintained his composure, responding with a mix of powerful strikes that left Della Maddalena struggling.

In the final round, Prates continued to dominate, cutting Della Maddalena with an elbow and delivering a series of strikes that resulted in multiple knockdowns. He ultimately finished the fight with ground-and-pound, further solidifying his impressive performance.

In his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, Prates expressed his ambition to face the winner of the upcoming title bout between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry, aiming to become the first Brazilian welterweight champion in UFC history.