Former champion Leon Edwards is in a peculiar position since dropping the welterweight strap to Belal Muhammad. He’s making his return at UFC 322, with back-to-back losses, hoping to get a win back to stay near title contention. However, the challenge ahead of Edwards is not an easy one by any means because his opponent, Carlos Prates, is looking to make a statement at his expense.

The Fighting Nerds’ knockout artist, Carlos Prates, regained his credibility he may have lost against Ian Garry earlier this year. At UFC 319, the Brazilian star destroyed Geoff Neal to secure his 17th career KO win. ‘The Nightmare’ seems confident that after what he does to Leon Edwards this weekend, he might just be able to catch Dana White‘s attention.

Carlos Prates wants to hand Leon Edwards his first KO loss to earn a title shot

Carlos Prates claims that one thing he’s able to do successfully in the UFC is hand rivals their first knockout loss. “Li Jingliang also never got knocked out before fight with me. So, I’m really good, you know, to know people out for the first time on UFC,” the welterweight star told Bodog Canada. As Prates said, he finished his last opponent and predicts the same outcome against Leon Edwards, who has never been knocked out in his entire MMA career.

“And I’m planning to do that [to Leon Edwards], you know. I respect Leon. He’s a former champ, but it is what it is. It’s business,” Prates further stated. The welterweight fighter believes that he’s earned the fans’ backing with his explosive performances, and he doesn’t want to let them down by leaving the fight to the judges.

Carlos Prates wants to entertain and, at the same time, make a big enough impact that it helps him earn a title shot next. Leon Edwards is a former champion, and a win would surely help ‘The Nightmare’s case. But on the other hand, Prates is also hoping the rivals do not shine in their fights. With Ian Garry taking Belal Muhammad, and Sean Brady squaring off against Michael Morales, the title shot scene could not be more crowded. Never mind the impending return of one Shavkat Rakhmonov. So, Prates can only control what happens in his fight at UFC 322.

“I’m the favorite fighter of the people, you know, between them, because let’s be honest, people pay tickets and PPV to see people getting knocked out, to see blood, to see violence. It’s the kind of entertainment I bring to the Octagon,” Prates added. “If Sean Brady and Morales is not like a really exciting fight and if Ian Garry lost to Belal Muhammad, I think I’m gonna be the next for the belt.”

Well, Carlos Prates might be confident in his ability to knock Leon Edwards out, but others have different opinions. Michael ‘Venom’ Page, for example, shared his prediction for this fight and backed his fellow Brit to seal the deal.

‘MVP’ backs Edwards to win

Michael ‘Venom’ Page is very interested in watching the UFC 322 fight between Carlos Prates and Leon Edwards. In the past, the former Bellator star has mentioned his wish to fight the former champion. But in this case, he wants ‘Rocky’ to win. And Page is certain Edwards will win, especially because of the tricks the Jamaican-born star has in his striking game. Nevertheless, ‘Venom’ has its eyes on both of them.

“I feel Carlos is an amazing, new, exciting fighter. Somebody I’m happy to fight. I wanna fight Leon, somebody I’ve already vocalized about wanting to fight just because of the magnitude of what that would mean in the UK,” ‘MVP’ told TNT Sports. “I feel like it’s [the fight] leaning towards Leon. There could always be a surprise spinning elbow, you know, a crazy kick that Prates has the ability and the power to be able to pull off.”

With Leon Edwards facing back-to-back losses, people could be writing him off against Carlos Prates. He visits MSG with more to lose than to gain. While a victory puts him back in the win column, he’s still a long way from a title shot.

There is a sentiment that ‘Rocky’ could be on the decline. But we’ll get our answers this weekend at Madison Square Garden, so, in the meantime, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.