Carlos Prates put Islam Makhachev on blast after the UFC announced his fight with Michael Morales for the interim belt on Jan. 30.
“The Nightmare” was in talks with the promotion to book a UFC 336 clash with the welterweight champion in Toronto, Canada, but will now face Morales after the Russian informed the UFC he wouldn’t be ready to fight on that date.
Prates took to social media after UFC’s official announcement on Saturday to criticize the champion.
“Islam Makhachev, I’ve been working toward my dream of becoming a champion for 17 years, and now you’ve postponed that,” Prates wrote in Portuguese. “I’m the No. 1. I knocked out two former champions, while Morales has only beaten Sean Brady.
“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? Let me show you how it’s done. On January 30, I’m going to knock out Michael Morales, and then I’ll be back to retire you, you coward!”
Prates is on a three-fight winning streak in the UFC, all by knockout, and has finished his opponents in all seven octagon victories. Morales, on the other hand, is unbeaten as a professional with 19 straight victories, seven of those under the UFC banner.
Makhachev took a shot at Prates by pointing out the fact he has recently beat Ian Machado Garry, the only man to defeat the Brazilian 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”
“As soon as we find out who the real contender is, we’ll be right back,” he added in separate tweets. “We have to now who is better who deserve.”
I just beat the guy who chased you around the Octagon for five rounds. Shut up and go train. You’re not on my level. See you soon . #maybe
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) October 24, 2026
UFC 336 will take place at the Scotiabank Arena and feature Joshua Van’s flyweight title defense against Manel Kape as the headliner.