Carlos Prates believes Leon Edwards is “done” and questioned whether the former UFC champion still has the heart to compete.
Edwards takes on welterweight rival Prates at UFC 322 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in a bid to get back in the win column after the first successive losses of his career.
The 34-year-old Briton is a slight underdog against Prates and the Brazilian criticised Edwards’ mentality.
“He’s done – you cannot teach heart,” said Prates.
“If you give up one time, you will give up always. When things get hard, he starts to give up.
“He doesn’t do too many things to try and change the game.
“I want to see how he can fight with somebody who really tries to hurt him.”
Edwards and 32-year-old Prates came face-to-face at Thursday’s news conference, with the Englishman biting back at his opponent’s criticism.
“He ain’t done nothing in the sport at all. On Saturday night I get to prove my case,” Edwards said.
The face-off passed without incident and Edwards is already plotting a way back to a UFC title.
He has a three-fight plan that includes a win over Prates before a fight at UFC London in March, then potentially a title shot against the champion in the summer of 2026.
