The UFC stops in Chicago this weekend for the fight card of the year with UFC 319. Before we get to the main event, we'll have a featured welterweight bout with Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates on the main PPV card.
As soon as Neal vs. Prates was announced for UFC 319, it's been circled as an exciting one to watch for UFC fans. Now, we get it as a build up to the Du Plessis vs. Chimaev title fight.
We'll analyze this welterweight fight and give you our Neal vs. Prates prediction and expert pick, fighter stats, and PrizePicks UFC picks for Neal vs. Prates at UFC 319.
Neal vs. Prates Preview for UFC 319
Geoff Neal says that he fully expects this fight not to leave Round 1. With the way both Neal and Carlos Prates throw down, with 26 knockouts between the two, this is a very big possibility.
Neal is not one to shy away from a firefight, and Prates is usually there to oblige. This one should be thrilling from the rip.
Even with so many great fights on this historic fight card, there is a solid chance that this fight walks away with Fight of the Night honors for however long it lasts.
Make your UFC 319 predictions count on PrizePicks, where winning real money on UFC is as simple as possible. Just pick More or Less on fight time or significant strikes on any fight, including Neal vs. Prates, then track the action live and cash out if your picks hit.
Neal vs. Prates Start Time & Stats for UFC 319
The UFC heads to Chicago, Illinois, for UFC 319, which is shaping up to be the fight card of the year, with the Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Middleweight Title fight headlining
However, it is Neal vs. Prates on the main card that is one fight that could steal the show come fight night.
Neal vs. Prates: How to Watch, Start Time
- Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates
- Welterweight
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Neal vs. Prates Start Time: 11 p.m. ET (estimate) | Main Card – 10 p.m. ET
- Location: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
- TV: ESPN+ PPV
Geoff Neal Stats & Results
- Overall Record: 16-6
- UFC Record: 8-4
- Last 5 Fights: 3-2
- Height: 5’11”
- Reach: 75”
- Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 5.05
- Takedowns Landed Per 15 Minutes: 0.56
- Last Fight: Win vs. Rafael dos Anjos - KO/TKO R1
- Finishes: 12 (10 KO/TKO/2 SUB)
Carlos Prates Stats & Results
- Overall Record: 21-7
- UFC Record: 4-1
- Last 5 Fights: 4-1
- Height: 6’1”
- Reach: 78”
- Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 3.60
- Takedowns Landed Per 15 Min: 0.25
- Last Fight: Loss vs. Ian Machado Garry - Decision
- Finishes: 19 (16 KO/TKO/3 SUB)
Neal vs. Prates Prediction for UFC 319
I can’t say it enough: get excited for this Neal vs. Prates fight, and don’t leave your seat the moment they touch gloves. These two are seemingly coming to take each other’s heads off, and it could be over in a matter of minutes.
However, both of these fighters are conditioned to go the full 15 minutes; their fighting style suggests otherwise.
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Neal is the shorter fighter who loves to utilize his boxing. He’s going to need to utilize his calf kicks to chop down Prates and press forward to get into the pocket. From there, he can land his thunderous strikes and really put it on Prates.
Prates, on the other hand — as the taller and lankier fighter — loves to utilize his long-range attacks to keep his opponents at bay. The teep kicks, the jab, and just utilizing his reach advantage are going to be key for him in this matchup.
It just might come down to who hits who first and who hits harder, but regardless, you won't want to miss it.
Neal vs. Prates Prediction — 10.75 Minutes Fight Time
- Prates’ average fight time is 9:49
- Neal’s average fight time is 10:14
- Prates has seen a third round only once in his UFC career
- Neal and Prates combine for 14 first-round finishes
Make Neal vs. Prates Predictions on PrizePicks
Neal vs. Prates features two heavy-hitting welterweights in a exciting bout at UFC 319 before the two featured fights on the main card.
UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev is set for Saturday, August 16, live on ESPN+ PPV from the United Center in Chicago, Ill.
The UFC 319 card is one of the most exciting of the year, and Neal vs. Prates is one you won't want to miss. Lock in your predictions on PrizePicks to make fight night even more exciting.
You can win real money by making UFC 319 predictions on PrizePicks — from the first fight of the night all the way to middleweight title fight to end the night.
Just go to the PrizePicks MMA board, pick two or more UFC fighter projections, lock in your Lineup, and cash in if your picks are on point.
