Rivalries: Antonio Carlos Jr.

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Antonio Carlos Jr. can afford to get a little greedy.

Already the beneficiary of a million-dollar payday from the Professional Fighters League, the Brazilian will continue his pursuit of a second straight light heavyweight championship when he tackles Bruce Souto in the PFL 4 co-headliner on Friday at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta. Carlos climbs into to the cage with the wind of a three-fight winning streak in his sails. The American Top Team representative kicked off his 2022 campaign on April 20, when he submitted Delan Monte with a brabo choke just 29 seconds into their PFL 1 pairing.

As Carlos makes final preparations for his upcoming clash with Souto, a look at some of the rivalries that have helped shape his career to this point:

Patrick Cummins

The two-time NCAA All-American wrestler utilized repeated takedowns, steady ground-and-pound and excellent submission defense, as he took a unanimous decision from Carlos in their UFC Fight Night 58 light heavyweight showcase on Dec. 20, 2014 at Jose Correa Arena in Barueri, Brazil. All three judges struck 30-27 scorecards. Cummins followed the rinse-and-repeat approach. The former Penn State University star gradually chipped away at Carlos’ resolve with post-takedown punches, hammerfists, elbows and forearm strikes from top position, dodging attempted leg locks as he worked. Cummins advanced to full mount on the fatigued Nova Uniao representative in the third round and then withstood a late surge from “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil” Season 3 winner. Carlos executed a belly-to-back suplex in the waning moments, moved to the American’s back and fished unsuccessfully for a rear-naked choke and armbar. It was the first setback of the Brazilian’s career.

Eddie Gordon

Carlos submitted “The Ultimate Fighter 19” winner with a rear-naked choke in the third round of their UFC Fight Night 70 middleweight feature on June 27, 2015 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. In what was something of a turning point in the careers of both men, Gordon conceded defeat 4:37 into Round 3. Carlos was superior in every phase. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt wore down Gordon with takedowns, ground-and-pound and a draining clinch, setting the stage for the late finish. In the third round, Carlos struck for a takedown, advanced to the back and consolidated his position with a body triangle. After an extended struggle and various attempts, he cinched the palm-to-palm choke and prompted the tapout from the Serra-Longo Fight Team representative. Some four months later, Gordon was released by the UFC.

Marvin Vettori

Carlos ran the Italian prospect through a labyrinth of takedowns and clinches while earning a unanimous decision in their three-round UFC 207 middleweight prelim on Dec. 30, 2016 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Scores were 29-28, 29-28 and 29-28. Vettori had his moments but struggled to get traction. A foul-filled first round—the two middleweights traded eye pokes—gave way to a strong second for the former Venator Fighting Championship titleholder. Vettori punched into top position and then cracked the Brazilian with elbows and hammerfists before fishing for a guillotine. Carlos withstood the brush with adversity and reclaimed control in Round 3, where he stifled the Kings MMA standout in close quarters. The loss snapped a six-fight winning streak for Vettori, who later emerged as one of the company’s premier middleweights.

Brad Tavares

Searing leg kicks, stout combination punching and airtight takedown defense spurred the Xtreme Couture mainstay to a unanimous decision over Carlos in a UFC 257 middleweight prelim on Jan. 23, 2021 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Tavares carried all three scorecards: 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28. Carlos whiffed on one takedown attempt after another, his situation growing increasingly dire by the minute. Tavares hammered away at the inside and outside of his lead leg with kicks, mixed in a punishing jab and cut loose with power punches on occasion. He landed the most consequential blow of the fight in the second round, where he stepped into a clubbing right hand that briefly dazed “Shoeface.” Carlos was cut by the UFC less than a month later and signed a free-agent deal with the Professional Fighters League.

Marthin Hamlet

Carlos dispatched the Frontline Academy product with a first-round rear-naked choke, as he walked away with the Professional Fighters League light heavyweight championship and the accompanying $1 million prize at the 2021 PFL Championships on Oct. 27, 2021 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Hamlett surrendered 3:49 into Round 1. Carlos pecked away with jabs, weathered a counter left hook from the Norwegian wrestler that sent him somersaulting backward and waited for an opening to present itself. He followed a right hand into a clever takedown and immediately climbed to the back, securing his position with a standing body triangle. Hamlet tried to spin free but only wandered deeper into danger, leaving his neck exposed in his haste to eject the Brazilian. Carlos calmly ensnared his counterpart in the choke and left him no choice but to tap.