Prates calls Makhachev a 'coward' after UFC 336 withdrawal and vows to retire him

Carlos Prates unleashed a sharp public rebuke at UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev on Saturday after the promotion confirmed the Brazilian will instead fight Michael Morales for the interim title at UFC 336 on January 30, following Makhachev’s withdrawal from their originally planned Toronto showdown.

Prates, who had been in negotiations for a title shot at Scotiabank Arena, vented his frustration in a social media post written in Portuguese. “Islam Makhachev, I’ve been working toward my dream of becoming a champion for 17 years, and now you’ve postponed that,” he wrote. “You told the UFC you wouldn’t be ready to fight in three months. Brother, you don’t drink, you don’t smoke, you don’t party, and you can’t get ready for a fight in three months?”

The 31-year-old, nicknamed “The Nightmare”, did not stop at disappointment. He issued a direct warning to the champion: “On January 30, I’m going to knock out Michael Morales, and then I’ll be back to retire you, you coward.”

Prates arrives at UFC 336 on a three-fight winning streak inside the octagon, all by knockout, and has finished every one of his seven UFC victories. His opponent Morales presents a significant challenge, however — the Ecuadorian is undefeated across 19 professional bouts, with seven wins under the UFC banner.

Makhachev did not stay silent. The champion fired back on social media, referencing his recent victory over Ian Machado Garry — the only fighter to have beaten Prates in the UFC. “I just beat the guy who chased you around the octagon for five rounds,” Makhachev wrote. “Shut up and go train. You’re not on my level. See you soon. #maybe.” In a follow-up post, he added: “As soon as we find out who the real contender is, we’ll be right back. We have to know who is better, who deserves.”

Prates, meanwhile, used Makhachev’s own record against him, noting that while he has knocked out two former champions, Morales’ most notable win is a victory over Sean Brady.

UFC 336 takes place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, with the Prates vs. Morales interim welterweight title fight serving as co-headliner. The card is topped by Joshua Van’s flyweight title defence against Manel Kape.