Carlos Prates unleashes verbal warfare on 'coward' Islam Makhachev

Carlos Prates is less than happy with Islam Makhachev‘s antics.

The UFC welterweight king seemed to be preparing his return, set for a January title defense. As talks heated up, Makhachev stunned everyone by rejecting the contenders offered to him, citing clarity within his weight class and an imminent retirement. This led the UFC to go another route: an interim title bout between Prates and Michael Morales.

Makhachev’s doubt left many upset, but none more than Carlos Prates. ‘The Nightmare’ has been on a tear, winning 7 of 8 outings inside the octagon, each coming by knockout. With his sights ultimately set on Makhachev, Prates expects to show the world why he is the rightful next challenger for the Dagestani’s throne.

“So, the guy comes out saying he wants to be an active champion, and he wants to fight,” Prates said. “Hunter even said that date had been reserved for him, and then he just came out and said he didn’t want it. He chickened out.”

“The situation I have now is to beat Morales and get the interim belt. Then I’m going to come back and beat Makhachev twice as badly as I was going to before, just so he learns his lesson and stops being such a coward.”

“Right when the time finally comes to achieve my dream of becoming champion, the guy pulls something like this. I was really p*ssed off, you know. But that’s how it is. Morales is the one who’s going to pay the price now, and then I’m gonna get [Makhachev] afterward.”

Prates wasn’t the only one frustrated with the outcome. The Brazilian claimed the UFC hated Islam Makhachev’s indecisiveness, which led to their interim title verdict.

“I think everybody was pretty p*ssed off about this situation. I was p*ssed. The UFC was p*ssed; they didn’t like it,” Prates added.

“If you don’t have a serious injury and you’re not hurt, then fight, man. You’re paid to do this. Your contract is for this. This is your job. How are you just not going to do it? Why wouldn’t you do it? You’re not injured; there’s nothing wrong with you. There are other people that want to fight. If you don’t want to fight, vacate your belt, and that’s it.”