Carlos Prates (23-7 MMA, 6-1 UFC) had an active year in 2025, fighting three times and going 2-1 in that stretch. This past November, he emerged victorious for the second time in three months thanks to a second-round knockout victory (straight left) over Leon Edwards (22-6, 1 NC MMA, 14-5, 1 NC UFC) during UFC 322 inside The World’s Most-Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Since then, the No. 5 contender in the welterweight division has yet to make his 2026 debut. Nothing is currently on the schedule for Carlos Prates, but that might change in the second quarter of this year.

One of the UFC’s most-anticipated events on its 2026 calendar will occur on the evening of June 14. In a rare Sunday night outing for the promotion, Dana White and company will make the trek to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC for a one-off card on The White House lawn.

Carlos Prates Linked to Conor McGregor Contest at UFC White House

One of the marquee names on the UFC’s roster who’s been rumored to appear at this event is Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC.) Throughout the run-up to UFC White House later on this year, “The Notorious” has lobbied to be a part of the event, including challenging Floyd Mayweather to an MMA fight during UFC White House.

With the UFC having joined forces with Paramount Plus on a seven-year media rights deal, McGregor has also claimed that his current pact to fight in the No. 1 MMA promotion in the world is now voided.

While McGregor sought an updated contract to compete under the UFC promotional banner earlier on in the year, he’s also in search of an opponent for the UFC White House show on June 14. Carlos Prates might be the man standing across from Conor McGregor late in the spring.

Carlos Prates Opens Up on  Possible Fight vs. McGregor

Carlos Prates, however, isn’t too entirely sure that he’ll be fighting Conor McGregor this June. On Tuesday, Prates took to his Instagram to post a reel concerning his thoughts on battling McGregor at The White House in Washington.

“A lot of you guys have been asking me about the Conor McGregor fight,” Carlos Prates began. “I do not [have] anything from the UFC yet. I’m really happy you guys say my name. Of course, it would be a huge honor for me to fight against him.”

Prates, however, has loftier goals in mind. Sitting at the No. 5 spot in the welterweight ranks, he’s firmly in the conversation for the UFC Welterweight Championship, a strap currently held by Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC.)

“I really want a fight that’s going to bring me the title shot,” he continued. “JDM [Jack Della Maddalena,] Conor McGregor. To be honest, I think that fight is hard to happen. Conor McGregor is five years without any fights.”

Carlos Prates Questioning McGregor Tilt at White House

As Prates mentioned, it’s been five years since Conor McGregor last fought under the UFC promotional banner. On July 10, 2021 during UFC 257 in a rematch with Dustin Poirier, McGregor sustained a broken ankle, causing the fight doctor to wave off the contest after the opening round.

A planned 2024 contest against Michael Chandler was intended to serve as the headlining bout for UFC 303, but the fight was scrubbed after McGregor was sidelined by a broken toe. Since then, he’s yet to return to competition.

Carlos Prates is of the belief that any fight against Conor McGregor would result in one-way traffic.

“After five years, he wouldn’t [be] back to fight against the most entertaining welterweights in the world,” he continued. “Nothing against him, you know? Everybody knows, I know, he knows I would hurt him bad. I would knock him out.”

Final Thoughts: Prates Deserves Better Than Conor McGregor

Again, nothing has been officially confirmed for UFC White House, but the promotion can’t fumble the ball with this one.

The UFC would be best served to put some of its elite fighters on the White House show and giving a spot to someone like McGregor, who hasn’t appeared since earlier this decade, may be a counterproductive move to make. Should Prates be booked to battle Conor McGregor, it’ll be a head-scratching decision.

Carlos Prates is hurdling toward the championship. Having him fight McGregor is not the right call here.