Carlos Prates isn't pleased that UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev opted not to fight him at UFC 336.
Prates is scheduled to fight Michael Morales for the interim welterweight title in the UFC 336 co-main event on Jan. 30 in Toronto. He was in talks to face Makhachev at the event, but Makhachev informed the promotion he wouldn't be ready to fight on that date.
Prates tore into Makhachev in an Instagram post Saturday after the UFC officially announced the Morales fight.
"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, as translated by MMA Fighting's Guilherme Cruz. "I'm the No. 1 (contender). 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 Jan. 30, I'm going to knock out Michael Morales, and then I'll be back to retire you, you coward."
Makhachev responded to Prates in a post on X.
"I just beat the guy who chased you around the Octagon for five rounds," Makhachev wrote, referring to Ian Machado Garry. "Shut up and go train. You're not on my level. See you soon. Maybe."
The UFC's decision to book an interim title fight between Prates and Morales has puzzled some, since Makhachev defended the undisputed belt just two months ago with a unanimous decision win over Garry at UFC 330.
However, UFC CEO Dana White explained at the UFC 333 postfight press conference that it was necessary.
"On average, Islam fights like once a year," White said. "He was slated for January and then said, 'I don't want to fight until after Ramadan.' You can't hold up divisions like this. You gotta keep moving, and this fight makes sense."
