While Carlos
Prates has no plans of fighting again before he gets a title
shot, he would fight Michael
Morales if he had to.
Prates (24-7) demolished former welterweight champion Jack
Della Maddalena at UFC Perth
earlier this month to firmly establish himself as a contender.
However, Prates believes Ian Garry,
who previously defeated him, will challenge Islam
Makhachev for the welterweight title next. Prates is confident
that he will be next in line for a title shot against the winner of
the fight between Makhachev and Garry.
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According to Prates, Garry will likely challenge Makhachev at
UFC
330 on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia. Prates has no issues waiting
for a shot against the winner of the fight. However, that could
stall the
UFC welterweight title picture until next year. If Prates has
to fight again in the meantime, he would pick undefeated Ecuadorian
contender Morales (19-0).
Considering the Possibilities
“If I have no choice, if I have to fight somebody, and then go to
the belt – I think I will pick Morales,” Prates said on the
“Pound 4 Pound” podcast. “Because it makes
sense, I’m No. 2, he is No. 3. And then you get the winner against
the winner of Ian and Makhachev.”
Makhachev won the title against Maddalena at UFC 322 last November.
Meanwhile, Prates knocked out former champion Leon
Edwards, and Morales knocked out fellow contender Sean Brady
on the same card. Garry made his case with a dominant decision win
over former champion Belal
Muhammad a week later.