Carlos Prates' Coach Questions Islam Makhachev's Strategy for UFC 336 Absence

Cristian Nogueira, the coach of Carlos Prates, has raised doubts regarding Islam Makhachev's absence from UFC 336, suggesting that Makhachev will not gain significant insights from watching the event. Nogueira questioned Makhachev's commitment to the sport, arguing that if he truly valued competition, he would be defending his title in January.

While Makhachev has opted to observe the interim welterweight title fight between Prates and Michael Morales, he previously indicated a desire to compete before Ramadan in February. Nogueira, who has coached Prates since he was 11, believes that Makhachev's decision to skip this fight may not yield the strategic advantage he hopes for.

Nogueira speculated that if Makhachev's absence was intended to gather footage on Prates, he would be disappointed, as he anticipates the fight will not reach the third round. He also noted that Prates has improved since his only UFC loss and is confident in his fighter's ability to secure a victory against Morales.