Prates vows to knock out Morales 'really fast' after targeting Makhachev welterweight belt

Carlos Prates has issued a blunt warning to Michael Morales, telling the undefeated welterweight contender he will knock him out in the first round — but only after he has taken the UFC welterweight title from Islam Makhachev.

Makhachev successfully defended the 170-pound belt against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia last weekend, and in the aftermath suggested that Prates and Morales should meet to settle who deserves the next title shot. Prates, speaking with Champions Collection, made clear he has no interest in that detour.

“I’m No. 1 contender, so I wanna fight for the belt,” Prates said. “UFC never offered the fight against you. If they offer me, of course I would knock you out really fast. First round, so don’t worry. You’re gonna fight and I’m gonna knock you out.”

Prates was responding to claims that Morales had said he was afraid to fight him. The Brazilian was unequivocal in his reply. “If the guy has two arms, two legs, one dick like me, bro, I can fight him,” he said. “I’m never scared to fight you, bro. Don’t worry.”

Prates added that Morales responded to a video he sent him saying he was “ready to fight,” and he closed with a message in Spanish: “After I get my belt, I’ll knock you out.”

The 31-year-old Brazilian has built one of the most eye-catching recent records in the welterweight division, winning three straight UFC bouts by knockout — over Geoff Neal, Leon Edwards, and Jack Della Maddalena — while maintaining a 100 percent post-fight bonus rate in the promotion.

Morales, for his part, has won seven consecutive fights inside the UFC, with his most recent stoppages coming against Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady, leaving both men with strong cases for a title shot. For now, Prates is insisting the belt comes first and that Morales can wait his turn.