​UFC Kansas City Recap

Garry’s Comeback, Smith’s Farewell & What’s Next for the Winners

UFC Kansas City delivered a night of high-stakes drama on April 26, 2025, as Ian Machado Garry rebounded from his first career loss, Anthony Smith bid farewell to the Octagon, and several rising contenders made their mark. Here’s a breakdown of the most exciting fights and what lies ahead for the event’s biggest winners and losers.​

🥊 Main Event: Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates

In a tactical five-round battle, Ian Machado Garry (16-1) secured a unanimous decision over Carlos Prates, with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46. Garry controlled the early rounds with precise movement and striking, but Prates mounted a strong comeback in the final round, nearly turning the tide with a ground-and-pound assault. Despite the scare, Garry held on for the win.​ (Largely due to Prates not following up in the moment he had)

What’s Next for Garry: Now serving as the backup for the UFC 315 welterweight title fight between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, Garry has outlined an ambitious plan: defeat Muhammad, defend the title against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (should he move up), and avenge his sole loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov.​

What’s Next for Prates: The loss snapped Prates’ 11-fight win streak and marked his first defeat in over five years. Despite stepping in after Geoff Neal withdrew, Prates had a full training camp, making the loss particularly tough. A rescheduling of the originally planned bout with Neal is a logical next step, keeping Prates in the mix against high-level competition.

🔥 Co-Main Event: Zhang Mingyang vs. Anthony Smith

In a swift and brutal performance, Zhang Mingyang stopped former title challenger Anthony Smith with elbows at 4:03 of the first round. The victory extended Zhang's winning streak and earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. Post-fight, Smith announced his retirement, concluding a storied career in the light heavyweight division.

What’s Next for Zhang: With momentum on his side, a matchup against fellow streaking contender Bogdan Guskov could be on the horizon, as both fighters aim to climb the light heavyweight rankings.

🚀 Rising Stars and Notable Performances

• David Onama defeated Giga Chikadze via unanimous decision in a catchweight bout, showcasing his striking prowess. A potential matchup against Dan Ige could further test Onama's ascent in the featherweight division 

• Randy Brown delivered a highlight-reel knockout against Nicolas Dalby in the second round, earning Fight of the Night honors. A bout with the in-form Chidi Njokuani could be an exciting next step

• Ikram Aliskerov secured a first-round TKO over André Muniz, reinforcing his position as a rising force in the middleweight division. A clash with Abus Magomedov, who also won on the card, could determine the next contender

🏆 Bonus Awards

• Fight of the Night: Randy Brown vs. Nicolas Dalby​

• Performance of the Night: Zhang Mingyang and Malcolm Wellmaker​

UFC Kansas City not only provided thrilling fights but also set the stage for future matchups that could reshape multiple divisions. As contenders rise and veterans depart, the UFC landscape continues to evolve with fresh narratives and rivalries.