Makhachev Explains Declining Ufc’s January Prates Bout Offer

WHO:

Sportskeeda - Islam Makhachev and Carlos Prates are named in connection with a potential fight.

MMA Fighting - Islam Makhachev said Carlos Prates and Morales should fight to determine a contender; Makhachev said he would fight the winner.

MMA Fighting - Makhachev referred to Ian Machado Garry as the fighter who recently defeated Prates and whom Makhachev had beaten.

WHAT:

Sportskeeda - Makhachev explained why he turned down a potential matchup with Prates.

Sportskeeda - The UFC offered Makhachev a potential January fight against Prates.

MMA Fighting - Makhachev said, “They offered me a fight with Prates, who recently lost to a [Ian Machado Garry] who I beat.”

MMA Fighting - Makhachev said, “Prates and Morales will fight, determine who a true worthy contender, and I will fight [the winner].”

MMA Fighting - Makhachev said, “Just let them fight and we will figure out who is the real challenger.”

WHY:

MMA Fighting - Makhachev said he turned down the Prates bout because he believed Prates and Morales should fight first to establish the genuine title challenger.

MMA Fighting - Makhachev said Morales was already next in line for a title shot and was not fighting or waiting for one; he argued that Morales and Prates should determine who was the real challenger.

HOW:

MMA Fighting - Makhachev proposed that Prates and Morales fight each other, after which he would fight the winner.

Islam Makhachev says he turned down a potential UFC fight with Carlos Prates, arguing that Prates should first face Morales to establish who deserves a title shot. Makhachev said the UFC offered him a possible January matchup with Prates. He pointed out that Prates had recently lost to Ian Machado Garry, a fighter Makhachev says he has beaten. Rather than take the bout, Makhachev proposed that Prates and Morales settle the contender question against each other. He said Morales was already next in line for a title opportunity, but was neither fighting nor waiting for one. Makhachev’s view is that the winner of the proposed fight would be the genuine challenger. He said he would then face that winner, leaving the title path to be determined in the cage.