Carlos Prates has dismissed rumours of a UFC fight with Conor McGregor, stating he has not been contacted by the promotion. The Brazilian welterweight addressed speculation in an Instagram video, saying he would 'hurt' the former champion if the bout materialised.
Prates, ranked fifth in the welterweight division, expressed doubt that McGregor would risk a comeback against him after a five-year absence from MMA. 'I think the fight is hard to happen,' he said, adding that he would knock McGregor out and that such a matchup would not be 'the right way' for a superstar to return.
The 32-year-old Prates boasts a 78 per cent career knockout rate and is 6-1 in the UFC, with his sole loss coming against Ireland's Ian Machado Garry. He has since rebounded with consecutive knockouts over Geoff Neal and former champion Leon Edwards.
McGregor, 37, has not fought since July 2021, when he broke his leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier. He recently posted on social media that he would accept a fight against an unnamed opponent, but UFC president Dana White has not confirmed any deal. McGregor's desired return at a White House event in June appears unlikely.
