Makhachev questions why Prates and Morales didn't fight at UFC 330 to settle contender debate

Islam Makhachev left UFC 330 in Philadelphia with his welterweight title intact after dispatching Ian Machado Garry, but the champion’s attention quickly turned to a question he thinks the UFC should have already answered: why weren’t Carlos Prates and Michael Morales fighting each other on the same card?

Both contenders were seated cageside for Saturday’s main event, each with a credible case for a title shot. Makhachev, speaking at the post-fight press conference, saw a straightforward solution that went unused.

“Let them fight,” Makhachev said. “Why are they not fighting on this card to see who is the No. 1 contender? It’s OK.”

The 34-year-old champion was generous in his assessment of the division’s depth, naming Prates, Morales, and Shavkat Rakhmonov as fighters who sharpen his preparation. “These guys Morales, Prates, Shavkat — they make me training everyday more harder. Because I see this is the real fighters who can give me good fights.”

The UFC could still book Prates vs. Morales and then match the winner against Makhachev, but that timeline would likely push a title fight into 2027 — and Makhachev has made clear he has no interest in waiting that long. He had already hoped to fight twice in 2025 and was frustrated that his return came as late as August. A November or December defence is now his stated target.

His urgency is rooted in practicality. “I am not 20 something. I am 34 years old. I have to fight as soon as possible because I don’t cut much weight, I don’t have any big injuries, just have to double check my nose, that’s it.”

Makhachev also revealed he had pushed to appear on the UFC’s White House card earlier in the summer, contacting manager Ali Abdelaziz and others to express his availability, only for that bout to fall through for reasons he described as a long story. “It’s not something I chose and I made,” he said.

With the Garry win behind him, Makhachev’s priority is simple: get another fight booked before 2025 ends, regardless of which contender the UFC ultimately selects.