UFC fighter Carlos Prates receives numerous messages on social media, but one particular message stood out as he prepared for his journey to UFC Kansas City for his upcoming fight against Ian Machado Garry.
The touching message came from a fan named Randy, who is courageously battling esophageal cancer. As a result of his treatments, Randy has been experiencing hair loss. He reached out to Prates, his favorite fighter, with a special request: to shave his head upon arriving in Randy`s hometown. Prates was deeply moved by the request and was more than willing to fulfill it once he landed in Missouri earlier this week.
Reflecting on their meeting on Wednesday, Prates shared his perspective: “He’s teaching me a lot this week. Sometimes we have to learn. We usually complain a lot about any little thing that happens in our lives and this guy is here after a terminal cancer diagnosis, he texted me to shave his head because I’m his favorite fighter and man, we can see that our problems are nothing.”
Prates expressed profound admiration for Randy`s resilience. “This man is here, he’s standing, he came here and said he won’t give up and I think that’s what we have to keep as a life lesson to never give up just like he’s doing fighting against this disease that’s a very tough one,” Prates added.
He also shared a hopeful message for Randy`s future: “But I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’ll get better and I hope in a couple of months I can come back here and see him.”
Keeping his promise, Prates proceeded to shave Randy’s head. To make the moment even more special, he presented Randy with an authentic pair of Fighting Nerds glasses as a gift.
The entire interaction clearly brought immense joy to Randy, who had the opportunity to spend valuable time with his favorite fighter just days before the welterweight contender steps into the octagon for the main event on Saturday at UFC Kansas City.
