Carlos Prates fires back at Michael Morales: 'I'd knock you out'

Carlos Prates has fired back at Michael Morales after the Ecuadorian welterweight suggested that the Brazilian was avoiding a fight. Prates, currently ranked as the UFC's No. 1 welterweight contender, insists he has no issue facing Morales but believes his ranking entitles him to a title shot first.

In a video posted online, Prates dismissed claims of fear, stating bluntly: "If the guy has two arms and two legs like me, bro, I can fight him." He acknowledged that a bout with Morales would likely end quickly in his favour. "If they offered me the fight, of course I would knock you out really fast, in the first round," Prates said.

Prates made clear his preferred path forward: a title challenge against current welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, who has already signalled his willingness to defend against him. Only after capturing the belt would Prates revisit a matchup with Morales. "But you will have to wait until I get my belt and then we can fight," he added. The standoff reflects a common tension in title contention—fighters ranked high enough to merit championship opportunities often have little incentive to accept interim bouts that could derail their trajectory.