UFC fighter Carlos Prates, no doubt, receives many messages on social media. However, one specific message caught his attention particularly as he got ready to travel to UFC Kansas City for his upcoming fight against Ian Machado Garry.
This special message was from a fan named Randy, who is currently fighting esophageal cancer. The medical treatments Randy is undergoing have caused hair loss. He reached out to Prates, his favorite fighter, asking if the Brazilian would shave his head upon arriving in Kansas City. Prates gladly agreed and fulfilled the request shortly after landing in Missouri.
“He`s teaching me so much this week,” Prates commented after meeting Randy on Wednesday. “It`s a lesson we all need. We often complain about minor issues in our lives, but here is a man, given a terminal cancer diagnosis, who messaged me, his favorite fighter, just to shave his head.
It puts our own problems into perspective – they seem like nothing compared to what he`s facing. Yet, he`s here, standing strong, showing up, and saying he won`t give up. That resolve is the life lesson we should take away: never give up, just like he`s fighting this incredibly difficult disease.”
Prates added optimistically, “But I truly believe he`ll be okay. He`ll get better, and I hope to return in a few months to see him again.”
Keeping his word, Prates proceeded to shave Randy`s head and, as a special gesture, gave him an authentic pair of `Fighting Nerds` glasses.
This heartwarming interaction clearly brightened Randy`s day, offering him valuable time with Prates just before the welterweight contender stepped into the octagon for the main event on Saturday.
Wesley Dunham 
Marcus Blakely