Will he never be a champion? Carlos Prates responds to influential coach after criticism in the UFC: 'I'm not a samurai'

Carlos Prates at a UFC event. Photo: Press release/Facebook/UFC

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Carlos Prates He has a career-defining commitment in the UFC, but he doesn't shy away from controversy. This Saturday (2), in Australia, the Brazilian will be in the main fight of UFC Perth against Jack Della Maddalena, former welterweight champion (up to 77,1 kg), and, in case of victory, will be close to competing for the title. In any case, the member of the 'Fighting Nerds' academy also found time to respond to the criticism made by Rangel Farias.

Recently, the coach and digital influencer stated that, despite rooting for Prates' success, he doesn't see him becoming UFC champion because of his hectic and bohemian lifestyle, unusual for any athlete. In fact, the fighter has never hidden his enjoyment of partying and is constantly seen drinking and smoking. Prates' mentor, Cristian Nogueira, disapproved of Rangel's position and defended his pupil by attacking him.

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Now it was Prates' turn, in an interview with the channel. 'Laerte Viana in the Area'...to speak about it. Calmly, the top welterweight didn't take the veteran's criticism personally, who, like him, is a striking specialist, but stressed that his intention was never to be a role model. More than that, the fighter, even aware of the risk of having such a routine, boasts and guarantees that he never falls short in the physical aspect, because he is disciplined, in his own way.

“The master is all about that. I understand that everyone can have their own opinion, but I think that sometimes people can have the wrong view of everyone. Like this thing about making apologies. I don't make apologies, nor is it what I talk about most to people. When they ask me for advice, I say: 'Don't drink and don't smoke'. I've never told anyone to smoke or drink. But we're not children, right? Everyone leads a normal life, follows a normal life. Me too. I see a lot of who the criticism is from,” said the UFC top fighter.

“Rangel has his job, he does his thing, but I don’t know who he trained, I don’t know if he fought, I don’t know. I don’t know what the deal is. And that’s it. If I’m not mistaken, I think Centurion was there the other day and one of his athletes fought, who probably doesn’t drink or smoke. The kid is a good guy too, but he was dying in the second round of the fight. You’ll never see that happen to me. I drink, I smoke, and I fight five rounds. I think a lot of people have a strange view, I don’t know. ‘Ah, but that’s not samurai posture.’ I’m not a samurai, partner.”

“I’m Carlos, I live my normal life, doing the things I like, helping people, doing my thing peacefully. There are a lot of guys who judge and sometimes have worse attitudes than me off-camera, worse than going out, drinking and smoking. But I don’t know, it doesn’t affect me much. The criticism that affects me is from Cris, Pablo, Flávio. Otherwise, if they’re not on my team, my coaches, they can say whatever they want, because, for me, it has no weight, it’s irrelevant,” he concluded.

Pay attention to the time.

O UFC Perth The event will begin at an alternative time for the Brazilian audience. It starts at 5 AM (Brasilia time) with 12 fights. The main card is scheduled to begin at 8 AM.