Michael Morales says he will serve as a backup for the UFC welterweight title fight between champion Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry.
The UFC 330 main event on August 15, Makhachev vs. Garry, was announced earlier this month. This bout will mark the Russian fighter’s first defense of the 170-pound championship.
Islam Makhachev moved up to welterweight last year after defending his lightweight title four times and then vacating the belt to chase two-division glory. In his 170-pound debut at UFC 322, he defeated Jack Della Maddalena to capture the welterweight championship and also recaptured the pound-for-pound throne.
Morales vs. Makhachev was in the works for UFC 324, according to sources. However, both camps declined the offer, as they had only recently fought in November at UFC 322.
Islam Makhachev and Michael Morales trade barbs. [Images via @islam_makhachevand @miichaelufc on Instagram]
Before the UFC 330 announcement, Morales, who is undefeated and is riding three consecutive Round 1 knockout wins, had repeatedly called out Makhachev. However, the UFC chose Ian Machado Garry to be the next welterweight title challenger. The Future” beat Carlos Partes on short notice last year, and then at UFC Qatar, he beat Belal Muhammad to make his case for a title shot.
Michael Morales confident he will be backup for UFC 330: Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry welterweight title bout
During a sitdown with Carlos Contreras Legaspi, Michael Morales said:
“I’ll go as the backup for this fight between Islam and Ian Garry, or I’ll fight one more time against whoever.
Morales last fought at UFC 322, as mentioned earlier, where he knocked out Sean Brady in Round 1. The 27-year-old is eager to return soon and, during the same interview, added that he would love to face Brazilian knockout artist and top contender Carlos Prates.
“They’re saying Prates, others are saying another fighter in the division, but I said whatever they want. Either way, I’m also going to go and make weight for August 15th.”
Check out Michael Morales’ comments below:
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) June 25, 2026
Michael Morales says he is the backup for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry at UFC 330 on August 15th.
Morales says that Carlos Prates is also an option.
“I’ll go as the backup for this fight between Islam and Ian Garry, or I’ll fight one more time against whoever.
They’re… pic.twitter.com/uFoyPIhhNx
Prates, meanwhile, after knocking out back-to-back former champions, is confident he will face the winner of the Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry bout. However, in the meantime, “The Nightmare” is still open to facing the undefeated Morales if the UFC puts forward an offer that is hard to refuse.
Michael Morales responds to Ian Machado Garry
Earlier this week, Ian Machado Garry, during an interview with Ariel Helwani, fired shots at Michael Morales and asked the latter to move up to middleweight.
Check out Ian Machado Garry’s comments below:
— Full Mount MMA (@MMAFullMount) June 22, 2026
Ian Garry thinks that Michael Morales should go up to 185:
"If I was Michael Morales, my advice to him would be to go up to 185. Because you're young, you're big, you're somewhat talented. I think he could do very well there."@iangarryMMA / @arielhelwani Show pic.twitter.com/F7BpEr3msw
However, the Ecuadorian has rejected the Irishman’s offer. In response, he quipped:
“I want to say 1 thing to Ian Garry, suck it”
Check out Michael Morales’ comments below:
Michael Morlaes responds to Ian Garry saying he should move up to 185lbs
— Dovy
“I want to say 1 thing to Ian Garry, suck it”
“I'm not moving from 170lb” pic.twitter.com/ED1oAPhtAI(@DovySimuMMA) June 23, 2026
