Morales Taunts Prates Ahead of UFC 336 Interim Title Fight

Michael Morales told Carlos Prates to "quit smoking" ahead of their UFC interim welterweight title fight, mocking his opponent's readiness for a five-round war. Morales and Prates will meet for the interim 170-pound belt at UFC 336 on Jan. 30, 2027, in Toronto, with undisputed champion Islam Makhachev sidelined from the division for now.

The trash talk started after Prates took shots at Makhachev over the champion's timeline for a return. Morales, unbeaten at 19-0, turned the attention back on his own opponent instead.

“You called me a coward, but you needed ten months to get ready to fight me?” Morales said in a video posted on Instagram. “Bro, I don't make excuses. I wait for my moment and take whatever opportunity comes my way. Now shut your mouth and quit smoking, because trust me, you're gonna need those lungs.”

Why Makhachev Isn't in This Fight

Islam Makhachev had indicated he wanted to fight again before Ramadan next year after defending his title against Ian Garry in August, but UFC CEO Dana White has since said the champion now wants to return after Ramadan instead. That gap opened the door for the promotion to book an interim title fight, with the winner of Prates-Morales positioned as a likely candidate to eventually face Makhachev in a unification bout once he's back.

What Morales vs. Prates Means for the Welterweight Picture

This is the biggest opportunity of either man's career, and it's a legitimate 50-50 style matchup. Prates, who carries a 24-7 record, is known as one of the heaviest-handed strikers in the 170-pound division, while Morales brings a perfect record and a more varied, technical attack built around power shots of his own. Morales calling out Prates's cardio is a pointed jab given how many of Prates's biggest wins have come early, and it signals the kind of fight Morales wants to make this: a grinding five-rounder rather than a shootout.

For bettors, this is the kind of style clash that tends to move the number as fight week approaches and camps release training footage. Prates holds a real finishing threat in the opening rounds, so expect markets to price in his power early while questioning whether he can sustain output across 25 minutes against an unbeaten, durable opponent. Morales's record and relative youth make him an appealing live underdog if the line opens in Prates's favor, but how the fight is priced will likely hinge on how recent camp reports characterize each man's conditioning heading into January.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Michael Morales vs. Carlos Prates?

Michael Morales faces Carlos Prates for the UFC interim welterweight title at UFC 336 on Jan. 30, 2027, in Toronto.

Why is there an interim welterweight title fight?

Champion Islam Makhachev is not expected to fight again until after Ramadan, so the UFC booked Carlos Prates and Michael Morales for an interim 170-pound title to keep the division active.

What did Michael Morales say to Carlos Prates?

Michael Morales told Carlos Prates to quit smoking and warned him he would need his lungs, mocking Prates's conditioning ahead of their title fight.