Islam Makhachev thinks that Michael Morales is expert, however he isn’t impressed with the exercise degree.
Makhachev is coming off a historic win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 this previous Saturday in Philadelphia. He broke the report beforehand held by Anderson Silva for probably the most consecutive wins in UFC historical past (17). Whereas Makhachev didn’t precisely cruise his option to victory, he was in management as a rule on his option to a unanimous determination.
Now that UFC 330 has wrapped up, the query turns into who’s subsequent for the No. 1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter? Makhachev was requested who he thinks is most deserving of the chance throughout the Paramount+ post-fight present. The elite titleholder believes that whereas Morales may very well be an intriguing challenger, he feels the rising Ecuadorian star must be extra energetic earlier than getting a shot.
“Truthfully, in the event you ask me right this moment, Shavkat [Rakhmonov] shouldn’t be preventing,” Makhachev stated. “[Carlos] Prates nonetheless preventing, nonetheless energetic. Possibly Prates as a result of Morales additionally is sweet, however Morales combat I don’t know final time. I don’t keep in mind when he combat, you understand? In case you ask who’s probably the most deserving man, I believe Carlos Prates.”
Morales and Prates had been each in attendance for UFC 330 inside Xfinity Cell Enviornment. Morales even had a backstage run-in with Ian Machado Garry, though issues had been cordial regardless of some back-and-forth phrases. If Prates finally ends up getting the following welterweight title shot, it may depart the door open for Morales to combat somebody like Garry or one other high contender.
In his final outing again in Nov. 2025, Morales scored a first-round TKO end over Sean Brady. On the time, Brady was broadly thought-about a reputable menace at 170 kilos. Whether or not or not that win shall be sufficient to hold Morales to a showdown with Makhachev stays to be seen.
Do you agree with Islam Makhachev’s stance on Michael Morales’ contender standing, or do you’re feeling Morales has accomplished sufficient to get the title shot? Pontificate within the feedback under.
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