Carlos Prates back in training, teases 'UFC Champion' season

Carlos Prates is back in the gym.

The welterweight contender posted training footage to Instagram on Sunday after a six-week break following his technical knockout of Jack Della Maddalena, according to Sherdog. The post included a caption that suggested a championship run is next: "Time to start writing the chapters of the next season, which will be called: 'UFC Champion.'"

What's next for Prates at welterweight

Prates has stopped two former welterweight champions in his last two outings — Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards — and has made clear he believes he deserves the next crack at whoever emerges from the confirmed UFC 330 title fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry. The Fighting Nerds representative told Sherdog recently that if the promotion has other plans, a bout with undefeated Ecuadorian Michael Morales would make sense.

Morales carries a 19-0 record and is coming off a knockout of Sean Brady. UFC 330 is expected to take place in the coming months, with a top contender fight likely to be announced shortly after.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Carlos Prates returns to training, shares mysterious social media post