LAS VEGAS — The speculation surrounding Conor McGregor’s long-awaited UFC return has taken another intriguing turn after rising welterweight contender Carlos Prates suggested the former two-division champion declined a potential matchup with him.
McGregor’s comeback has dominated mixed martial arts headlines since Dana White confirmed plans for a historic Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the White House scheduled for June 14. The unprecedented card is expected to feature several high-profile bouts, and McGregor’s return has been widely viewed as the centerpiece attraction.
The official fight lineup is anticipated to be unveiled this weekend, potentially alongside UFC 326, where Max Holloway is set to defend his BMF title against Charles Oliveira in Las Vegas.
While McGregor has yet to compete since suffering a broken leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, the Irish star recently revealed that he had accepted a comeback fight against what he described as a “no-name” opponent.
That statement ignited widespread debate among MMA fans over the identity of the potential challenger. Among the names repeatedly mentioned was Prates, a surging welterweight whose knockout victories have rapidly elevated his profile within the division.
Prates further fueled the speculation when he acknowledged the discussions on social media, expressing appreciation for being mentioned alongside one of the sport’s biggest stars. Now, the Brazilian fighter claims his name was indeed included on a list of possible opponents presented to McGregor.
Speaking in a recent interview with Laerte Viana, Prates suggested the matchup may have been dismissed because of the stylistic danger he presents.
“I believe they offered me to McGregor and then he ran away, because I’m a tough matchup,” Prates said. “This guy’s been out for five years and it’s not even in his weight class.”
Prates, who most recently scored a knockout victory over former champion Leon Edwards, believes the combination of his momentum and natural size at welterweight may have made the fight less appealing for McGregor.
“Even though some of his fights have been at 170 pounds, he’s not a natural welterweight,” Prates said. “I’m coming in with a lot of hype, knocking everyone out. If I were him, I probably wouldn’t accept the fight either.”
While Prates has positioned himself as a dangerous contender, the possibility of him facing McGregor remains uncertain. Given the magnitude of McGregor’s return, many observers expect the UFC to match him against a more established or highly ranked opponent rather than a fast-rising prospect.
Potential alternatives have included familiar names such as Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal, though other analysts believe the promotion may prefer a ranked welterweight contender to immediately place McGregor back into title contention.
The Irish superstar has previously outlined an ambitious goal upon returning to competition. McGregor has expressed interest in becoming the first fighter in UFC history to capture championships in three weight divisions, a feat that would require defeating reigning welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.
McGregor’s legacy already includes a historic milestone within the organization. In 2016, he became the first fighter to simultaneously hold two UFC titles after defeating Eddie Alvarez to capture the lightweight championship while still reigning as the featherweight champion.
Whether Prates ultimately becomes part of McGregor’s comeback story remains uncertain. However, the Brazilian contender’s comments have added another layer of intrigue to an already highly anticipated return — one that continues to captivate the MMA world as the UFC prepares for one of its most ambitious events yet.
