Makhachev backs Prates vs. Morales for the interim belt before his own defence
Islam Makhachev backed the UFC's decision to match Carlos Prates against Michael Morales for the interim welterweight belt and said he will fight the winner next. The champion (29-1) questioned both credentials: Morales (19-0) has been idle since November 2025 and Prates (24-7) lost to Ian Garry.
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Islam Makhachev está disposto a esperar, desde que a fila se resolva dentro do cage.
O campeão dos meio-médios defenderia o cinturão contra Carlos Prates no UFC 336, em janeiro. A organização, porém, colocou Prates contra Michael Morales por um título interino, e Makhachev considera a decisão acertada.
“Prates e Morales vão lutar para definir quem é um desafiante realmente digno”, disse Makhachev a repórteres. “E eu luto com o vencedor. É bom, fica mais interessante. Eles me ofereceram uma luta contra o Prates, que perdeu recentemente para alguém que eu venci. E se eu vencer ele, o Morales já seria o próximo da fila, que não está lutando e está esperando. Deixa eles lutarem e a gente descobre quem é o desafiante de verdade.”
Makhachev (29-1) aponta a derrota de Prates para Ian Garry, a quem o russo venceu em agosto, e questiona se Morales (19-0), parado desde novembro de 2025, deveria ganhar a chance sem outra atuação. Prates (24-7) finalizou todas as suas sete vitórias no UFC; a única derrota dele na organização veio nos pontos, contra Garry, e desde então ele finalizou Geoff Neal, Leon Edwards e Jack Della Maddalena. A última atuação de Morales terminou com ele finalizando Sean Brady.
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