The UFC Kansas City event unfolded on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, featuring a thrilling night of fights headlined by a welterweight clash between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates. This matchup was particularly significant for Garry, who was looking to bounce back after suffering his first professional loss in a short-notice bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 last December. The 27-year-old Garry, with a record of 15-1, was keen to prove that his previous defeat was an anomaly rather than a trend.
On the other hand, Prates, boasting an impressive 21-6 record, entered the Octagon with a wave of momentum, having not lost a fight since his UFC debut in February 2024. A member of Brazil's Fighting Nerds team, Prates aimed to secure the biggest victory of his career by defeating the favored Garry.
In the co-main event, veteran fighter Anthony Smith faced Zhang Mingyang in what was announced as Smith's retirement bout. Smith, a one-time UFC title challenger, was looking to go out on a high note, but Zhang had other plans. The fight ended dramatically when Zhang defeated Smith via TKO with elbows at 4:03 of Round 1, marking a bittersweet conclusion to Smith's storied career.
The card also featured a series of exciting matchups, including David Onama's unanimous decision victory over Giga Chikadze, with all judges scoring the bout 29-28 in favor of Onama. Abus Magomedov also showcased his skills, defeating Michel Pereira by unanimous decision with scores of 30-27 across the board.
Randy Brown delivered a spectacular performance, knocking out Nicolas Dalby with a right hook in Round 2 at 1:39. Ikram Aliskerov followed suit, finishing Andre Muniz with a TKO at 4:54 of Round 1, further underscoring the night's action-packed atmosphere.
The preliminary card kicked off at 6 p.m. ET, with Matt Schnell defeating Jimmy Flick by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Evan Elder also secured a unanimous decision victory over Gauge Young (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), while Chris Gutierrez edged out John Castaneda by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Da'Mon Blackshear continued his rise in the bantamweight division, defeating Heili Alateng by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). Malcolm Wellmaker made a statement with a first-round KO against Cameron Saaiman, finishing the fight at 1:59 with a powerful punch. Jaqueline Amorim also impressed, submitting Polyana Viana with a rear-naked choke at 1:49 of Round 2.
Timmy Cuamba showcased his striking prowess, defeating Roberto Romero via TKO with a flying knee and ground punches at 3:55 of Round 2, while Joselyne Edwards achieved a first-round TKO victory over Chelsea Chandler at 2:31.
As the night progressed, the fighters displayed a mix of skill, resilience, and determination, making for an unforgettable evening for fans in attendance and those watching at home. The event not only highlighted the depth of talent in the UFC but also set the stage for future matchups and potential title shots.
In summary, UFC Kansas City delivered a night filled with excitement, showcasing both the emerging talents and established veterans of the sport. With Garry looking to reclaim his status and Prates aiming for the upset, the welterweight division remains as competitive as ever. The event concluded with fans eagerly anticipating what the future holds for these fighters in the dynamic world of mixed martial arts.
