Michael Morales claims status as UFC 330 main event backup fighter

Michael Morales is ready for either Islam Makhachev or Ian Machado Garry, as he recently spoke to Carlos Contreras Legaspi on the latter's Papá Legaspi YouTube channel, where the streaking welterweight revealed he could serve as the backup fighter for the UFC 330 main event. If Garry were to pull out, it would mark Morales' first crack at a UFC title, but it isn't the only bout he's eyeing.

Michael Morales has two choices

Michael Morales' appearance on Papá Legaspi was punctuated by two options on his table. He claimed that he would either step in as the backup fighter for the Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry welterweight title fight at UFC 330, or accept a title eliminator, likely against fellow 170-pound power-puncher Carlos Prates (1:02):

"At the end of the day, they're still considering me for the title. So, either I'm going to be a replacement in the fight between Islam and Ian Garry, or I'll fight one more time against whomever. They're saying Prates. Others are saying another fighter."

UFC 330 will mark Makhachev's first title defense as welterweight champion. Following his dominant unanimous decision win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, there was frequent talk over who he'd face as his first title challenger. Garry eventually emerged as the number one contender, and is on a two-fight win streak over former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who he defeated via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 265, and Prates himself, who he also defeated via unanimous decision, but at UFC on ESPN 66. However, Morales isn't far behind. He is undefeated at 19-0 and has TKO'd his last three opponents in round one, with Sean Brady at UFC 322, Gilbert Burns at UFC Fight Night 256, and Neil Magny at UFC Vegas 96.

With 14 wins by knockout/TKO, Morales has distinguished himself as one of the welterweight division's most powerful punchers, with that status only being challenged by Prates, whose 24 career wins consist of 19 knockouts/TKOs. He is also on a three-fight knockout/TKO streak, having TKO'd Jack Della Maddalena in round three at UFC Fight Night 275, knocked out Leon Edwards in round two at UFC 322, and knocked out Geoff Neal in round one at UFC 319.