Prates taunts injured McGregor: 'I would hurt you bad' after UFC 329 collapse

Carlos Prates wasted little time responding to Conor McGregor’s injury-shortened return at UFC 329, posting a blunt warning on Instagram directed at the former two-division champion after his 69-second exit in Las Vegas on Saturday.

McGregor (22-7) suffered a right knee injury on the very first kick he threw against Max Holloway (28-9), ending one of the most anticipated comebacks in MMA history before it had barely begun. Prates, who had been linked to McGregor before the Holloway rematch was confirmed, used the moment to make his position clear.

“If I fight against u, I would hurt you bad bro,” Prates wrote on his Instagram stories. “[It’s] alright don’t accept the fight against me Mc chicken. And have your legacy already, now it’s time for the new generation. And never cut your hair like this again.”

The Brazilian welterweight, nicknamed “The Nightmare”, has built a formidable UFC record of seven wins from seven fights inside the organisation, all by finish. His only blemish in the promotion is a decision loss to Ian Garry, who is set to challenge Islam Makhachev for the title at UFC 330.

Prates (24-7) had genuine reason to believe a fight with McGregor was close to happening. McGregor himself claimed the UFC had offered him the Brazilian as an opponent, though the Irishman suggested the promotion was using Prates’ name to pressure him back down to lightweight. “They wanted me back down at 155 pounds. So I think they were trying to throw names at me,” McGregor said. “I said yeah, no problem. Send the contract.”

The matchup ultimately fell through when the Holloway rematch was confirmed, and McGregor’s return ended before it could gain any momentum. Prates, for his part, believes McGregor’s legacy is already written — and that the cage door between them should stay firmly shut.