LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 10: (R-L) Carlos Prates of Brazil kicks Trevin Giles in a welterweight struggle throughout the UFC Battle Evening occasion at UFC APEX on February 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Pictures)
Our Newcomer of the Yr award goes to the fighter who, newly signed to a significant promotion, made the most important impression (in different phrases, we’re not counting time spent on the regional circuit per se). This yr’s winner undoubtedly put his time in over time in smaller exhibits, then landed within the UFC and rattled off 4 straight wins.
Newcomer of the Yr 2024
Eddie Legislation: Carlos Prates. This man has future UFC champion written throughout him. An alumni from DWCS Prates fought 4 occasions in 2024, with 4 finishes, all earlier than the third spherical, and capped it off with a KO win over welterweight staple Neil Magny to complete off 2024. Prates is properly on his approach to contendership in 2025.
Jay Anderson: Carlos Prates. Whereas not a “newcomer” to fight sports activities, exterior of a trio of appearances on the ONE Warrior Sequence, Prates had by no means been wherever close to a significant promotion. Then, after a profitable 2023 look on Dana White’s Contender Sequence, he landed within the UFC – and rattled off 4 wins in 2024, whereas securing his first primary occasion spot reverse Neil Magny.
Gabriel Gonzalez: Shamil Musaev. The champion of few phrases had so much to say contained in the cage in 2024. At a time when the PFL had acquired Bellator, Musaev was distinctive in that he had not competed underneath both banner going into the match this yr. A newcomer in each sense, Musaev had a breakout yr by stopping former interim Bellator champion Logan Storley, besting ONE standout Murad Ramazanov (twice) and stopping the beforehand undefeated Magomed Umalatov to change into a millionaire and new champion.
Bryson Hester: Jean “Lord” Silva. Jean Silva had an almost flawless 2024. Silva competed thrice and scored three stoppage victories. He defeated Westin Wilson in his debut on January thirteenth. Silva missed weight for his subsequent struggle (considered one of his solely blemishes of the yr) however he grew to become the primary particular person to KO Charles Jourdain. And Silva earned himself a bonus when the physician needed to step in and cease his struggle towards Drew Dober in July. And Silva stepped up a weight class to be able to take that struggle.
Patrick McCorry: Carlos Prates. 4 fights, 4 KOs, and his first primary occasion. It is a no brainer.
Cade Morehouse: Newcomer of the yr needs to be Carlos Prates. Is that even a query? 4 fights and 4 finishes. What’s there to speak about? His win features a nasty knockout of UFC veteran Neil Magny to shut out his yr! He has put himself in potential title competition for 2025.
Brett Cagle: Shamil Musaev. Debuting within the 2024 common season this yr, PFL newcomer Shamil Musaev shortly put himself on the radar as one of many high opponents on the earth at 170 kilos. Operating by way of the PFL common season and playoffs, Musaev earned three knockout wins. Two of these victories got here towards undefeated fighters Murad Ramazanov and Magomed Umalatov. Musaev is a world-class expertise with one-punch knockout energy in his palms. The sky’s the restrict for Musaev who could look to repeat as Welterweight champion in 2025.
Mathis Desjardins: Carlos Prates. This class had a whole lot of good candidates this yr. I believed lengthy and exhausting about choosing Shamil Musaev, who was principally unknown earlier than working by way of the PFL’s welterweight division and profitable its season match. Nonetheless, no rookie took the game by storm fairly like Carlos Prates did together with his 4 Kos, one for every quarter of the calendar. From normal DWCS signee to a primary occasion spot in only one yr.
Finish consequence: Shamil Musaev received some consideration, however ultimately, Carlos Prates was picked by the overwhelming majority of our crew. He’s our 2024 Newcomer of the Yr!
