Carlos Prates did not enjoy watching welterweight champion Islam Makhachev's title defense at UFC 330.
Makhachev (29-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC) outlasted Ian Machado Garry (17-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in this past Saturday's main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Prates (24-7 MMA, 7-1 UFC), who was in attendance for the fight, was rather critical of Makhachev's performance.
"I think (Makhachev's) style is boring," Prates said on "The Ariel Helwani Show." "I don't like watching fights at all. Striking fights or some friends, of course, I like to watch. But especially if there's a grappler fighting, I don't like to watch. I like to watch people getting knockouts, a lot of action and things like that. It's crazy because now I really like to train grappling
more than striking, but I don't like to watch grappling and fighters going to the ground and boring fights."
Machado Garry did well defending some takedowns but was ultimately brought down to the mat seven times and controlled for more than 12 minutes. Makhachev also knocked down Machado Garry with a head kick in Round 2, winning the fight four rounds to one on two of the judges' scorecards.
Since losing to Machado Garry, Prates rebounded with three consecutive finishes and is oozing confidence ahead of his potential title fight against Makhachev.
"On the takedowns, I saw the way I can defend some things and stop some takedowns," Prates said of Makhachev. "He has good kickboxing, bro, but of course I'm much better so, I'm excited to test myself against him. I know I'm really underdog, but not only because of the title or money, but I really want to fight him because I want to test myself against him. I'm really excited to do this. I really think I can win. I can shock the world. I can make everybody surprised. I will do this."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Carlos Prates disses Islam Makhachev's fighting style as he eyes UFC title shot
