PRATES AND MORALES AVOID CONFRONTATION AT UFC 330

Carlos Prates attended UFC 330 in Philadelphia last week to observe Islam Makhachev's performance ahead of a potential title fight. During the event at Xfinity Arena, Prates crossed paths with Michael Morales and Morales's friend. The encounter nearly escalated into a confrontation between the two welterweight contenders.

Prates subsequently discussed the meeting on a podcast, describing an earlier exchange in which he told Morales he would face Makhachev before potentially fighting him. Prates characterised Morales's companion as appearing intoxicated and suggested the friend sought attention by encouraging a fight between the two fighters. The friend, identified as Martin Gonzalez, later uploaded video footage of the pair facing each other and repeatedly called for a bout between Prates and Morales.

Prates has dismissed the prospect of Morales receiving a title shot against Makhachev, stating he is the more likely challenger. Makhachev defeated Ian Garry in the UFC 330 headliner, positioning himself to defend his title against Prates rather than Morales, according to Prates's assessment.