Chael Sonnen does not think that the replacement fight by Carlos Prates in UFC Kansas City is something to write home about.
Carlos Prates had to fight Geoff Neal on UFC 314 on 12 April. However, Neal pulled himself out of the battle with Prates because of an injury and the fight was taken out of the map.
There was even more bad news, because the UFC Kansas City sustained an injury to one of the most important event hunters. Khalil Rountree JR's canceled his fight with Jamahal Hill after an injury and left the card without a selection framework.
Fortunately, Chael Sonen has helped to get an opponent for the event, although he does not see it as a step for the hunter who arrives in the short term.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Ian Machado Garry does not earn a title shot by beating Carlos Prates
The UFC Kansas City main event was announced when Ian Machado Garry agreed to combat prates and arrive in the short term to save the card.
Sonen, however, said on a good guy/bad guy that he does not think this fight will give Garry the title shot he wants and sees it as a relegation for the Irishman.
Sonnen said: “This fight does not push him in a title fight, but it can be the one for that. I could see Ian and Prates, by the time the media and the structure take place, and we all enjoy that fight.
“Based on how it unfolds, it can bring you in the competition of a number one candidate. But it is a huge step for Gary, and boys are asked to always do this.
“You are in a promotion and as long as you are a main event, it should not matter who the opponent is, but it can change a bit.”
Garry's fight against Prates will be the most important event of UFC Kansas City on 26 April.
Garry was furious not to get a title fight after his last defeat
If you hear that Sonen does not think that this fight will earn Garry, a title shot will not do anything to calm the Irishman after his last eruption.
Garry wanted a title shot at UFC 315 and let go in a social media outburst, in which he explained why he deserved to be in the main event of the show.
Despite losing his last fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov, Garry believes that he should be the next row to face Belal Muhammad and wants a shot at his UFC Welterweight Championship.
The recognition that he will probably not earn that fight by beating Prates will not please Garry and he can consider taking such fights in the short term if this trend continues.
Comments