Morales calls Prates an 'easy' fight for Makhachev and dares him to prove it first

Unbeaten UFC welterweight Michael Morales fired shots at champion Islam Makhachev, fellow contender Carlos Prates, and the rest of the 170-pound division in a blunt Instagram message, accusing Makhachev of steering toward Prates because the Brazilian represents an easier title defence.

Prates is currently the front-runner to challenge Makhachev for the welterweight belt, with Morales, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Ian Garry also sitting near the top of the division. Morales recently confirmed he will take one more fight before receiving his first UFC title shot, but that has not tempered his willingness to call out everyone above and around him.

“Islam, since you came to my division and took the belt, I have been asking for the fight,” Morales said. “You know who I am. You said, ‘Morales is way more dangerous.’ You also said I need one more fight. And about Prates and me, you said, ‘Let them fight.’ Alright, I respect that. But after that, no more excuses. You and me for the belt.”

Morales then turned his attention directly to Prates, referencing earlier comments in which the Brazilian claimed the UFC never formally offered him a fight with Morales and predicted a first-round knockout if it happened. “Perfect, bro, let’s do it,” Morales replied. “You and me, Deadpool vs. Spider-Man. You want the belt? I want the belt. Let’s find out who’s next.”

Makhachev had previously floated the idea of a Morales-Prates title eliminator, a proposal Morales said he welcomed. But with Prates now appearing to leapfrog that matchup and move straight to a title fight, Morales made his frustration clear. “If you prefer Prates because you prefer an easy fighter, I have mine for 2027.”

The Ecuadorian also took aim at Garry, the most recent title challenger, with a dismissive aside, before reserving what he framed as genuine respect — and a clear long-term target — for Rakhmonov. The Kazakh has been sidelined with a knee injury since December 2024 and is not expected to return until next year.

“The final boss of this division… Shavkat Rakhmonov,” Morales said. “Oh, I almost forgot about you.”

With Prates seemingly next in line for Makhachev and Rakhmonov still recovering, Morales appears intent on using his mandatory tune-up fight to keep pressure on the champion and ensure there are no further delays to his title ambitions in 2027.