Prates' Teammate Degli Fights For UFC Deal Tonight

Marcos Degli fights for a UFC contract tonight on Dana White's Contender Series at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, carrying a 12-fight win streak and the vocal support of top welterweight contender Carlos Prates.

Degli, who trains alongside Prates at Vale Tudo Top Team in Brazil, faces Fury FC flyweight champion Paris Moran in a flyweight bout that could earn him a spot on the UFC roster. The 26-year-old Brazilian has stopped 13 of his 14 career wins, including nine by knockout and four by submission, according to MMA Mania.

Prates Pitched Degli to Dana White After UFC 319

Prates used his Octagon interview following his knockout of Geoff Neal at UFC 319 to lobby directly for his teammate. "Marcos Degli," Prates told White during the post-fight moment. "He's undefeated in 11 fights, and he's the LFA champion." Degli later described hearing his name on that stage as an emotional experience, particularly with White standing close enough to take notice.

The Brazilian nearly skipped the Contender Series process entirely earlier this year when he volunteered to replace Jack Jenkins on short notice at UFC Perth, offering to fight Marwan Rahiki at featherweight despite competing two weight classes lower. The UFC signed Ollie Schmid for that assignment instead, but Degli's willingness to take the fight demonstrated his urgency to reach the promotion.

Degli enters tonight's bout as a heavy favorite against Moran, a 30-year-old veteran who captured the Fury FC title with a split decision over Roybert Echeverria in May. Degli most recently defended his interim LFA flyweight title by stopping Luis Aguiar with a body shot in 95 seconds. He also owns an amateur win over current UFC flyweight Andre Lima and has not lost since June 2022. The Contender Series event streams Tuesday night from Las Vegas.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Carlos Prates’ terrifying Flyweight teammate, Marcos Degli, fights for a UFC contract tonight