Carlos Prates Picks Craig Jones Over Khabib as Coach, Citing Freedom to Party and Smoke

Overview

• Prates said in a quickfire interview that he would choose Craig Jones because he believes Khabib Nurmagomedov would restrict his lifestyle.
• He framed the choice around his partying and heavy cigarette use, calling Jones more permissive than Khabib’s discipline-first approach.
• Prates is known for smoking roughly a dozen to 15 cigarettes per day, a habit he says helps manage his weight despite its rarity in MMA.
• UFC 322 also features a coach storyline with Jones in Jack Della Maddalena’s corner and Khabib coaching Islam Makhachev at Madison Square Garden.
• Riding a first-round knockout of Geoff Neal, Prates faces former champion Leon Edwards with outlets noting his No. 9 ranking and potential top-five move with a win.