Conor McGregor says UFC floated Carlos Prates to scare him

Conor McGregor says the UFC tried to scare him away from welterweight by floating a matchup with Carlos Prates.

McGregor returns from a five-year layoff against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas. According to Sherdog, rumors briefly circulated that the UFC had offered Prates as an alternative opponent before the Holloway booking was finalized. McGregor confirmed those talks on Ariel Helwani's show, claiming he accepted the fight verbally but never received paperwork to sign.

McGregor believes UFC wanted lightweight return

"They said to me about [Prates]," McGregor told Helwani, per the report. "I said, 'Yeah, no problem. Send the contract.' So I'm saying yeah for about two weeks. Where's the contract? No contract came. Do you know what it was? They wanted me back down at 155 pounds."

Prates has stopped all seven of his UFC opponents and is coming off a knockout of former champion Jack Della Maddalena in May. The Brazilian is 24-7 overall and has lost only once in the Octagon, a decision to Ian Garry.

McGregor has fought at welterweight twice in the UFC. Holloway has campaigned at featherweight and lightweight but accepted the 170-pound catchweight for the July bout.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Conor McGregor: UFC was trying to scare me by floating Carlos Prates matchup