Conor McGregor avoided a nightmare matchup? Carlos Prates thinks so

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Carlos Prates says he would do physical harm to Conor McGregor in a cage. | : Getty/UFC


Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight Carlos Prates claims he would be a tough matchup for Conor McGregor.

McGregor (22-7) returned to action after five years in a welterweight matchup against Max Holloway (28-9) at UFC 329 on Saturday in Las Vegas. The Irishman’s highly anticipated return ended in 69 seconds after he injured his right knee on the first kick he threw. While there were rumblings of McGregor vs. Prates before the Holloway rematch was confirmed, the Brazilian believes it wouldn’t have worked out for the former two-division champ.

Carlos Prates has a warning for Conor McGregor: ‘I would hurt you’​

Reacting to UFC 329’s headliner, Prates says he would significantly damage the UFC legend if they were to fight. “The Nightmare” advises McGregor to never accept a booking against him. Prates also believes that McGregor has already cemented his legacy and should make way for the new generation now. He further took a dig at the Irish star’s mohawk, which he donned for his latest outing.

“If I fight against u, I would hurt you bad bro,” Prates wrote on his Instagram stories. “[It’s] alright don’t accept the fight against me Mc chicken. And have your legacy already, now it’s time for the new generation. And never cut your hair like this again.”

Prates (24-7) has finished all seven of his UFC wins so far, while only dropping a decision against Ian Garry, who challenges Islam Makhachev for the title at UFC 330. There were initially rumors of McGregor returning to action against Prates. “Notorious” even claimed that the UFC had offered him the Brazilian 170-pounder, but the matchup ultimately fell through in favor of the Holloway rematch.

Carlos Prates warned Conor McGregor to never accept a fight against him

“If I fight against you I would hurt you bad bro. Don’t accept the fight against me McChicken. And have your legacy already, now it’s time for the new generation.

And never cut your hair like that… pic.twitter.com/bTAucvpk0p— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 12, 2026

Conor McGregor believes the UFC offered him Carlos Prates to try and scare him back down to 155

“I said yea, no problem. Send the contract.

They wanted me back down at 155 pounds. So I think they were trying to throw names at me… yes, no problem.”

(via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/MCTVaO2lNX— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 16, 2026

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