Conor McGregor avoided a nightmare matchup? Carlos Prates thinks so

UFC welterweight Carlos Prates has seized on Conor McGregor's abrupt exit from UFC 329 to taunt the Irish legend and claim he would have been a far more punishing opponent than Max Holloway. Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," suggested McGregor narrowly avoided a devastating matchup by facing Holloway instead.

There had been earlier chatter about a potential McGregor–Prates pairing before the promotion settled on the Holloway rematch. Following McGregor's 69-second knee injury loss, Prates took to Instagram to needle the veteran fighter. "If I fight against u, I would hurt you bad bro," Prates wrote, urging McGregor to steer clear of him. Prates also advised the former champ to accept that his legacy is already cemented and step aside for the next generation of fighters.

The Brazilian's call-out was not without a shot at McGregor's appearance, with Prates criticizing the mohawk hairstyle McGregor wore for his comeback bout. "And never cut your hair like this again," Prates added to his message. McGregor's team had previously suggested the UFC floated Prates' name partly as a psychological tactic to discourage the Irishman from moving back up to welterweight, though McGregor indicated he would have accepted such a challenge.