Prates answers Abdelaziz and promises to end Makhachev's legacy
Carlos Prates has answered Islam Makhachev's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who questioned the relevance of the welterweight challengers. With seven knockouts in eight UFC wins, the Brazilian promised to end the Russian's legacy and next faces Michael Morales on 30 January for the interim belt.
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A recusa de Islam Makhachev em lutar no UFC 336 continua rendendo. O empresário do russo, Ali Abdelaziz, saiu em defesa da reputação do número 1 peso-por-peso do Ultimate e questionou a relevância dos principais desafiante dos meio-médios (77 kg) — sem citar nomes. Carlos Prates, primeiro colocado da categoria na lista da 'Meta', respondeu na mesma moeda.
O brasileiro usou as redes sociais para rebater a premissa de que os rivais da divisão não acrescentam ao legado do russo. São sete nocautes em oito vitórias no Ultimate, dois deles sobre ex-campeões nas últimas lutas, e a promessa é encerrar o reinado do campeão.
"Se ele lutasse por paixão, ele lutaria contra o desafiante número 1 em janeiro. Eu não vou acrescentar nada ao legado dele, eu vou acabar com o legado dele, irmão", escreveu, em resposta à publicação original.
Antes de chegar a Makhachev, porém, Prates tem um compromisso em 30 de janeiro: enfrenta o invicto Michael Morales pelo cinturão interino da categoria até 77 kg. A luta é o co-main event de um card numerado no Canadá, cuja principal atração será Joshua Van contra Manel Kape pelo título linear peso-mosca (57 kg).
Dana White já explicou a ausência do russo do UFC 336: ele pediu para competir apenas depois do Ramadã, período sagrado para os muçulmanos. Em 2027, o Ramadã começa em 7 de fevereiro e termina em 8 de março, o que empurra um eventual retorno para meados da temporada — provavelmente contra o vencedor de Prates x Morales, pela unificação dos cinturões.
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