Imagine witnessing a UFC star nearly come to blows with another fighter over a controversial call at a local MMA event—in Turkey, of all places. But here's where it gets controversial: Was it a justified call-out or a step too far? Let’s dive into the drama that unfolded at Core FC 2 on December 11, 2025, and you decide.
UFC’s Carlos Prates found himself at the center of a heated exchange during the main event between Erdem Taha Dincer and Mavlud Tupiev. For those unfamiliar, MMA events often hinge on split-second decisions, and this fight was no exception. Tupiev dominated early on, but fatigue set in, allowing Dincer to regain momentum in the third round. During a tense moment near the cage, Dincer landed an illegal soccer kick to Tupiev’s head. While the strike connected, it didn’t appear to cause fight-ending damage. Still, Tupiev was deemed unable to continue, and Dincer was disqualified—a decision that left many scratching their heads.
And this is the part most people miss: Prates, who was front and center, took issue with Tupiev’s decision to stop fighting after what he deemed a minor infraction. From his vantage point outside the cage, Prates didn’t hold back, voicing his frustration loudly. Tupiev, clearly offended, attempted to leave the cage to confront Prates, but both fighters were restrained before the situation escalated. Security eventually escorted Prates out of the arena to prevent any further chaos.
What’s particularly striking is Prates’ unexpected appearance at a local MMA event in Istanbul. But even more eyebrow-raising is his willingness to call out Tupiev over a disqualification that many might consider a tactical move. Prates didn’t mince words, taking to Instagram to express his frustration: ‘That guy gave up the fight and said he couldn’t fight because of an easy illegal kick. And one minute later, he gets mad with me and tries to fight me. Luckily for him, security didn’t let us fight, piece of s—t. Stop giving up when you start winning and getting tired, bro.’
This incident raises a broader question: Where do we draw the line between competitive spirit and unsportsmanlike conduct? Was Prates justified in his criticism, or did he cross a line by provoking Tupiev? And what does this say about the culture of accountability in MMA?
Check out the footage below and let us know your thoughts. Is Prates the hero MMA needs, or did he take it too far? Share your take in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
