Michael Morales has called out reigning UFC welterweight champion and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev.
During the UFC Mexico broadcast earlier today, when the spotlight was on Morales, he took the golden opportunity to hold up not-so-cool photo of Makhachev on his phone to call out the Russian.
Check out the callout below:
Islam Makhachev is expected to fight in May, June, or July
Islam Makhachev, who captured the 170-pound throne last year at UFC 322, is expected to make the first defense of his title after Ramadan.
Now that fans are aware that Kamaru Usman will most likely not receive the next welterweight title shot and Carlos Prates and Jack Della Maddalena are scheduled to clash in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in Perth on May 2, it leaves the matchmakers with two remaining top contenders to choose from: Michael Morales and Ian Machado Garry.
Morales, the No. 3-ranked welterweight contender, is undefeated (19-0) and is currently riding a three-fight Round 1 knockout win streak. Recently, Makhachev also lauded the 26-year-old’s knockout prowess:
I think Michael Morales is way more dangerous as a puncher. He puts people to sleep with damn near every shot he lands.” [via Ushatayka]
Michael Morales was rumored to fight Islam Makhachev in January. However, both parties claimed that they didn’t want the bout.
The Dagestani wrestling maestro, who had just fought in November 2025, did not want to compete so early in 2026, and Morales also had similar reasons.
Other than Morales, Ian Machado Garry, who is the No. 2-ranked welterweight contender, has also made a strong case for a title shot by defeating Carlos Prates on short notice in 2025 and then securing a unanimous decision win over Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar.
Garry is also training for a potential Makhachev bout, and last month, he traveled to Gori, Georgia, to seek help from southpaw wrestlers who could help him refine his wrestling before he and Makhachev face off.
Who do you think will get the next title shot? “The Future” or the Ecuadorian? Let us know in the comments below.
