Welterweight contender Carlos Prates claims that UFC champion Islam Makhachev avoided a championship bout against him at UFC 336. The organization attempted to schedule Prates and Makhachev for the undisputed welterweight title main event, but the champion turned down the matchup.
Carlos Prates Criticizes Islam Makhachev
In an interview with Brazilian MMA journalist Laerte Viana, as reported by sports.yahoo.com via HEAVY, Prates expressed strong criticism toward Makhachev for declining the bout. Prates stated, “He chickened out… 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. The UFC was pissed. They didn’t like it. If you don’t have a serious injury and you’re not hurt, then fight man. Your contract is for this. This is your job. If you don’t want to fight, vacate your belt and that’s it.”
Prates continued his criticism, questioning Makhachev’s transparency regarding his fighting schedule and suggesting that fabricating an injury would have been preferable to refusing a booked bout.
Path to a Future Fight With Makhachev
Following Makhachev’s refusal, the promotion arranged for Prates to face Michael Morales for the interim UFC welterweight championship at UFC 336. A victory over Morales would secure Prates the interim title and guarantee him the next opportunity to face Makhachev, making it impossible for the current champion to decline the challenge.
Makhachev will likely return to the Octagon next summer to face the winner of the upcoming interim championship bout. Refusing that subsequent fight would result in the promotion stripping him of his title.
