Conor McGregor's long-awaited return to the UFC is inching closer to reality, with all signs pointing to a comeback during International Fight Week this July. The promotion is weighing several potential opponents for the Irish superstar, but one name has sparked a particularly fiery response from a fellow fighter.

UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano has weighed in on the speculation that Brazil's Carlos Prates could be McGregor's dance partner. And let's just say Moicano isn't pulling any punches. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Moicano predicted a brutal outcome if the fight ever materializes.

"They wanted to match Carlos Prates vs Conor McGregor. Can you imagine how McGregor would have been trashed? The best call UFC has ever made was not to make that fight," Moicano declared. "It would have turned Prates into a global star. Prates would have destroyed McGregor in a way never seen before."

Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," has been on a tear lately, most recently dismantling former welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena in dominant fashion. That performance has rocketed him into the title conversation, and he's now setting his sights on the winner of a potential bout between lightweight king Islam Makhachev and rising star Ian Machado Garry.

While Prates has made it clear he's not interested in fighting other ranked contenders like Michael Morales, the path to gold might hit a speed bump. Rumors are swirling that Makhachev could instead face Ilia Topuria, which would delay Prates' shot at the strap. But one thing's for certain: if Moicano's prediction is any indication, the UFC might have dodged a bullet by keeping McGregor far away from this Brazilian buzzsaw.