Carlos Prates recently addressed speculation about a possible fight against Conor McGregor, openly sharing his eagerness to compete for the championship. Prates, a Brazilian welterweight, highlighted his readiness to face McGregor as the Irish fighter gears up for a comeback, fueling talk within the MMA community about a high-profile contest.
Conor McGregor, known as one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports, hinted at fighting a relatively unknown opponent for his return. This was conveyed in a now-deleted social media post where McGregor wrote,
“It’s a no-name up next for me, possibly, folks. And as you know, idgaf. I ACCEPT. Send the contract, lads. CONOR MCGREGOR’S DEAL.”
This statement intensified speculation that McGregor might compete at welterweight upon his return, potentially facing Prates. Responding to these rumors in an interview, the Brazilian cleared up any uncertainty by stating,
“A lot of you guys have been asking me about the Conor McGregor fight. I [haven’t] got anything from UFC yet. I’m really happy you guys are saying my name. Of course, it would be a huge honor for me to fight against him.”
Prates further issued a confident prediction about the bout’s outcome, stressing his ambition for a title opportunity:
“I really want the fight that’s going to bring me the title shot… Nothing against him, but everybody knows, I know, he knows I would hurt him bad. I would knock him out… I’m waiting for the UFC to send me something, any name, any place, I’m just ready to fight. But of course, I want the title shot. So JDM [Jack Della Maddalena], Conor McGregor, let’s work.”
[H/t: MMA Fighting]
Matt Brown Questions McGregor’s Fight on White House Event Card
Amid the buzz surrounding McGregor’s return, UFC veteran Matt Brown publicly criticized rumors that McGregor would fight on the White House event card. Brown dismissed the idea, asserting that McGregor was being used to promote the card without any real intention of fighting on it.
Speaking on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, Brown expressed his skepticism:
“It’s hard to imagine you’re not [setting yourself up for disappointment] because they don’t have the stars that they used to have, and Conor McGregor’s not fighting on it. I don’t give a f**k what anybody says… I don’t care what Dana [White] says. They’re using him to promote it and using his name to get it out there. He’s [McGregor] not fighting on that sh*t.”
Implications for UFC and Fans Awaiting McGregor’s Return
The swirling rumors of a McGregor fight against Carlos Prates underline the high stakes and anticipation surrounding McGregor’s comeback in the welterweight division. Prates’ bold confidence and vocal desire for a title shot add further intrigue to the potential matchups that the UFC could announce soon.
Matt Brown’s commentary, meanwhile, brings a note of caution for fans hoping to see McGregor compete on the White House card, suggesting that promotional strategies may overshadow actual fight confirmation. As the UFC prepares for these developments, the coming weeks will likely determine whether Prates gets his wish or if other opponents emerge for McGregor’s return.
.@iamtheimmortal doubts #UFC pulls off biggest card ever for the #UFCWhiteHouse event:
"They don’t have the stars that they used to have."
(🎥 @DamonMartin) pic.twitter.com/gTMbATy2AB
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) February 15, 2026
