Islam
Makhachev believes Michael
Morales still has work ahead of him to earn a title shot.

Makhachev (28-1) is scheduled to put his
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title on the line
against Ian Garry
(17-1) at UFC
330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. While
Garry ultimately received the title shot, surging contender
Carlos
Prates and the unbeaten Morales were also in the running.

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Islam Makhachev slams Michael Morales’ inactivity, eyes
‘exciting’ Carlos Prates

Both Morales (19-0) and Prates (24-7) campaigned for title shots
before Garry got the call. Despite Morales being the official
backup fighter for the UFC 330 main event, the reigning champion
believes Prates is ahead of the Ecuadorian in the welterweight
pecking order.

Morales hasn’t fought since knocking out Sean Brady
at
UFC 322 last November, on the same card that Makhachev won the
title against Jack
Della Maddalena and Prates finished former champ Leon
Edwards. Notably, Prates then finished Della Maddalena earlier
this year, while Makhachev beat the Australian via decision.

While he’s focused on his upcoming title defense against Garry,
Makhachev is eyeing “Nutella cake,” his moniker for Prates after he
saw the Brazilian having a Nutella cake during the UFC 322 fight
week, for his second title defense.

“He [Morales] has to fight, bro,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie. “When
he fight last time? He’s waiting for the title fight or what? Too
much contenders. He has to fight against Prates or Shavkat… I don’t
know when [Shavkat] is coming back. Too much contenders… We have to
know who is the No. 1 contender… Nutella cake is going to be good
opponent. Exciting fighter, it’s going to be a good fight.”

IMAK ADMIN

By IMAK ADMIN

Internationaler Kampfkunst und Kampfsport Kleinanzeiger