Michael Morales has sent a message to the UFC welterweight division again. The undefeated fighter who last fought at UFC 322 in 2025 is expected to enter the octagon next year in January. 

Morales has claimed that Carlos Prates and Ian Machado Garry don’t want to fight him. Hence, he will be taking on the undefeated Kazakh phenom Shavkat Rakhmonov. The Ecuadorian fighter has also sent a message to champion Islam Makhachev, top contender Prates, and former title challenger Garry. He quipped:

“Islam… you know who I am. You said ‘Morales is way more dangerous’. You also said I need one more fight. About Prates and me, you said, ‘let them fight’. Alright, but after that, no more excuses. Prates, you said the UFC never offered you the fight with me. You and me, let’s do it. You want the belt, I want the belt. Let’s find out who’s next.”

“But if you guys have different plans… Islam, if you prefer Prates because you prefer an easy fighter, I have mine for 2027. The final boss of this division. Shavkat Rakhmonov. Oh, I almost forgot. F*ck Ian Garry.”

Check out Michael Morales’s comments below:

Michael Morales considers Rakhmonov a very tough test. The 31-year-old meanwhile has not entered the octagon for nearly 2 years due to back-to-back injuries. Earlier this year, Rakhmonov’s return was halted due to the same knee injury that had kept him on the sidelines, leading to his removal from the rankings. Rakhmonov had knee surgery again a few months before and has resumed training. 

Sean Brady believes “there’s no way” Shavkat Rakhmonov fights Michael Morales

Sean Brady believes Shavkat Rakhmonov will never fight again, and although he has been hearing about a potential Rakhmonov vs. Morales bout at the end of the year, there’s no way the Kazakh fighter competes again.

Check out Sean Brady’s comments below:

Rakhmonov suffering repeated injuries to the same knee has raised concerns among fans about his future. This time, we will have to see whether he can make a successful return to the octagon after undergoing proper rehabilitation and recovery.

Subham

Subham is a writer and editor with experience spanning MMA, Health & Fitness, true crime, and pop culture. He has previously worked with Sportskeeda MMA, SK True Crime, and SK Pop, Movies, and Shows.
He currently covers the UFC for LowKickMMA and MMA Pros Picks.