Is Michael Morales (19-0) next in line for a title shot against the new undisputed UFC welterweight champion, Islam Makhachev?
Morales made his statement at 170 pounds, with a first-round TKO win against Sean Brady on the undercard of UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden in New York last Saturday. It was his third consecutive stoppage victory, and Performance of the Night bonus, in his last three fights.
The native of Pasaje, El Oro, Ecuador, improved to 8-0 in the UFC, with only two of those wins going to the judges’ scorecards. Following his dominant win over Brady, Morales called for a title shot. Except there are other contenders in the stacked welterweight division, who also have their eyes on the UFC gold. We consider four possible opponents Morales may face next, along with the 170-pound kingpin.
Jack Della Madallena
In his first defense of the UFC welterweight title, Jack Della Maddalena took a unanimous decision loss against Makhachev, in the headliner of UFC 322. The former undisputed UFC welterweight champion had not lost a fight in nearly a decade. Including eight consecutive wins since he joined the promotion in 2022. As Morales continues his climb up the 170-pound landscape, a win over a former UFC champion like Della Madallena will certainly be huge. “JDM” is currently ranked No.1 in the UFC’s welterweight rankings.
Ian Machado Garry
The native of Portmarnock, Ireland, is among the names to look out for at welterweight. The lone defeat of Ian Machado Garry’s career came in a unanimous decision loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov, at UFC 310 in December 2024. He bounced back with a unanimous decision win against the dangerous Carlos Prates, at UFC on ESPN 66 in April. “The Future” is listed as a -250 favorite, when he takes on former UFC welterweight titleholder, Belal Muhammad, in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night Qatar on Saturday.
Interestingly, Morales stated that he is ready for whoever may come next, including the winner of Muhammad vs. Machado Garry.
Carlos Prates
Following a unanimous decision loss against Machado Garry, Prates has won two consecutive fights by knockout. On the undercard of UFC 322, “The Nightmare” knocked out former UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, in the second round. Since his UFC debut in 2024, Prates has compiled a 6-1 record. Each of those wins have come by way of knockout. The Brazilian native also called for a title shot immediately after he dismantled Edwards. A showdown with Morales is sure to be loaded with plenty of firepower.
Islam Makhachev
Making his welterweight debut, Makhachev defeated Della Maddalena by unanimous decision to capture the UFC welterweight title, at UFC 322. The native of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia, became the 11th two-division champion in UFC history, as he previously held the UFC lightweight title. He also tied the record for longest win streak in the history of the UFC (16). Makhachev overtook the No. 1 spot on UFC’s men’s pound-for-pound rankings, surpassing reigning undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria.
It remains to be seen who will get the call against the undisputed UFC welterweight champion. However, Morales is not too far from a title shot, as he moved up to No. 3 in the 170-pound rankings.
