Carlos Prates doesn't think Islam Makhachev is afraid to fight him, but rather that the UFC welterweight champion was too "lazy" to agree to square off at UFC 336.
"To be honest, no," Prates said Friday at the UFC 336 press conference when asked if Makhachev is ducking him. "I think he's maybe a little bit lazy to make a new fight camp. Maybe he wants to enjoy his holidays after fighting Ian Garry. He felt like, 'Ah, I need to make a fight camp. I'm a little bit lazy. Let's fight after Ramadan.'"
Prates is scheduled to face Michael Morales for the interim welterweight title in the UFC 336 co-main event Jan. 30 in Toronto.
He was originally in talks to challenge Makhachev for the undisputed belt, but Makhachev informed the UFC he wouldn't be ready to fight in January.
Prates sent a message to the 170-pound champion on Friday, vowing to retire him from the sport when they eventually meet in the Octagon.
"Don't hide," Prates said. "After I knock Morales out, I'm gonna come back, and I'm gonna retire Islam Makhachev from MMA."
