Michael Morales is convinced he is getting the next UFC welterweight title shot.
The No. 3-ranked 170-pound contender, who is undefeated and is riding a three-fight win streak, with all three victories coming by first-round knockout, believes he deserves to fight champion Islam Makhachev next over Ian Machado Garry.

Recently, on Instagram, the Ecuadorian shared an AI-generated image showing him and Makhachev sitting cage-side and signing the contract. He captioned the post:
Sorry, Ian… Dana knows who really deserves the shot 🤷🏾♂️ @iangarry 🖕🏽”
Check out Michael Morales’ post below:
Ian Machado Garry, on the other hand, the No. 2-ranked UFC welterweight contender, has claimed that he is ready to fight Islam Makhachev, and alleged that the Russian needs “more time.”
Most recently, “The Future” posted an image on Instagram with a paper on his tongue resembling an LSD strip, reading “I’m next.” In the caption, he asked Michael Morales to “sit down,” Shavkat Rakhmonov to “heal up,” and opined why the legendary Kamaru Usman doesn’t deserve a title shot.
The short-notice risk taker’s Instagram post’s caption reads:
Morales sit down. You’ve not done enough. I’ve already beaten Prates and will happily do it again… in Brazil. Shavkat heal up, I want that rematch. Usman isn’t even close. (Since my debut night at Maddison Square Garden where Usman beat a wilting 31 year old Colby Covington, I have had 10 wins in the UFC whilst Usman has had one… just 1. Anyone saying his name is on another planet) I’m Next. Enjoy the show!”
Ian Machado Garry and Michael Morales have to wait as champion Islam Makhachev is injured
Recently, there were rumors that Islam Makhachev was going to lock horns with Ilia Topuria on June 14 at the White House. However, the bout could not materialize because the pound-for-pound king is injured.
Although Topuria vs. Makhachev was never a done deal, as per Topuria’s manager and even Dana White, there is now bad news for fans.
Makhachev, who is yet to make the first defense of his welterweight championship, has suffered a hand injury, and his return timeline is unknown. Weighing in on the same, White said:
He [Islam Makhachev] has got some hand issues. I don’t know how serious the hand issues are and how long that will keep him out. But he’s injured.”
Check out Dana White’s comments below:
Makhachev was expected to return to the octagon after Ramadan. But now, there’s no news on how severe his hand injury is or when he will return.
