Outside Source
Makhachev (28-1) is scheduled to put his Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title on the line against Ian Garry (17-1) at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. While Garry ultimately received the title shot, surging contender Carlos Prates and the unbeaten Morales were also in the running.
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Islam Makhachev slams Michael Morales’ inactivity, eyes ‘exciting’ Carlos Prates
Both Morales (19-0) and Prates (24-7) campaigned for title shots before Garry got the call. Despite Morales being the official backup fighter for the UFC 330 main event, the reigning champion believes Prates is ahead of the Ecuadorian in the welterweight pecking order.
Morales hasn’t fought since knocking out Sean Brady at UFC 322 last November, on the same card that Makhachev won the title against Jack Della Maddalena and Prates finished former champ Leon Edwards. Notably, Prates then finished Della Maddalena earlier this year, while Makhachev beat the Australian via decision.
While he’s focused on his upcoming title defense against Garry, Makhachev is eyeing “Nutella cake,” his moniker for Prates after he saw the Brazilian having a Nutella cake during the UFC 322 fight week, for his second title defense.
“He [Morales] has to fight, bro,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie. “When he fight last time? He’s waiting for the title fight or what? Too much contenders. He has to fight against Prates or Shavkat… I don’t know when [Shavkat] is coming back. Too much contenders… We have to know who is the No. 1 contender… Nutella cake is going to be good opponent. Exciting fighter, it’s going to be a good fight.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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