Michael Morales doesn’t plan on showing much respect to 170-pound champion Islam Makhachev.
That’s because the No. 3-ranked welterweight title contender is on a mission to secure the strap and can’t allow himself to get caught up in the Makhachev aura. At the same time, the 26 year-old Morales recognizes the 28-1 champion for his accomplishments inside the Octagon, which includes titles in two separate weight classes.
Morales by knockout?
“I won’t show him much respect,” Morales (19-0) told MMA Junkie. “He’s an athlete just like me. He’s a person just like me. He bleeds just like me. I just see him as a person who I want to take the title from. Sure, he has his legacy and history, but that’s his, not mine. I’m doing my own thing, and I’ve worked hard to get what I have, so I won’t give him that respect of, ‘Oh, he’s the champion. I have to give him all the praise.’ No, I also want to be champion. I’ve set in my head that I’m going to work hard to take the title away from somebody. That’s my dream, and that’s my priority. I don’t care who I have to beat. I’m not going to idolize anyone. I want to take the title. I don’t care if it’s against Makhachev or anyone else. I want to be champion, and I’m preparing very hard to do that. I want to get a knockout and leave with the belt in my hand.”
No. 2-ranked Ian Garry may have something to say about that.
“Everyone knows his game, which is wrestle to death, submit, and have it be over,” Morales added. “Very few times has he knocked somebody out. Everyone knows his game. If the fight is difficult on the feet, he’s going to wrestle to death, and look for a quick submission. And if the fight is tough on the ground, he’s going to keep his distance. However, I’m unorthodox. I can wrestle, I can strike, I can do it all. I’m getting ready in all areas, but I don’t think he would strike with me. I have too much distance, I’m tall, but let’s see what happens. He’s almost the same size as the guy I fought (Sean Brady), and yeah, you can notice the difference. I saw him backstage when doing interviews, and I did see him a bit smaller. He is more muscular now. Regardless, I can’t get overconfident even though he’s smaller. He might be quicker than me, which gives him an advantage in shooting for takedowns. I think that is his only advantage.”
With Shavkat Rakhmonov eliminated from the welterweight title chase — as well as the 170-pound rankings — the division is up for grabs when it comes Makhachev’s next opponent. As we saw at UFC 325, the promotion has no qualms about ignoring deserving contenders, so right now it’s anyone’s game.
Morales or Garry … or neither?
