Chael Sonnen believes that the Carlos Prates who convincingly defeated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth would also have overcome Conor McGregor in a hypothetical fight.
There were rumors of a potential fight between McGregor and Prates in July. However, Prates stated that the former two-division UFC champion turned down the offer. Sonnen, commenting on a 37-year-old McGregor, who has been inactive for nearly five years, suggests he would have had virtually no chance against a prime and in-form Prates.
McGregor is slated for a return in July during International Fight Week, where he is expected to face Max Holloway again.
Meanwhile, Prates, having secured three consecutive stoppage victories, is now awaiting the outcome of a potential welterweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry, anticipated for August.
Prates has expressed a desire for Garry to defeat Makhachev, which would then open the door for a rematch with McGregor later this year in Brazil.
Chael Sonnen’s Perspective on a McGregor vs. Prates Bout
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Chael Sonnen asserted that the Carlos Prates who dominated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth would have inflicted similar damage on Conor McGregor.
Sonnen pointed out that fighters who have suffered severe leg injuries, like Conor McGregor, and have been sidelined for extended periods, typically face immense difficulty against formidable contenders such as Prates.
While Sonnen acknowledged Conor McGregor’s bravery and willingness to take on any opponent, he suggested that if “The Notorious” could simply survive a few rounds against “The Nightmare,” it would be considered a significant achievement in a potential matchup.
