MMA
Michael Morales could be a problem for Islam Makhachev, claims UFC analyst
Published
2 months agoon
Ishika Samant/Getty ImagesUFC analyst Michael Chiesa believes Michael Morales could be a real problem for Islam Makhachev in the welterweight division.
Right now, Islam Makhachev is on top of the mixed martial arts world. He successfully retained his UFC welterweight championship against Ian Machado Garry, and in doing so, cemented himself as a fighter who will now feature in the greatest of all time conversation.
RELATED: Islam Makhachev dismisses Michael Morales as No. 1 contender following UFC 330: “I don't remember when he fightâ€
Of course, there are a lot of contenders waiting in line, and that includes Michael Morales. The young prospect has been tearing through everyone at 170 pounds, and a lot of people feel as if he has earned the right to challenge for the strap, even ahead of Carlos Prates.
In a recent podcast, Michael Chiesa explained why he thinks Morales could serve as a legitimate threat to Makhachev.
Chiesa's view on Morales vs Makhachev
“Morales is the biggest guy at 170 pounds,†Chiesa said. “He is the biggest welterweight, so the size and the wrestling, I think that could give him more problems than Prates. But I do think prates has more capability of landing a knockout shot. At times Michael can get a little bit wild. The more wild you are with your striking, the better lanes are created for a wrestler to shoot.
“Prates, I feel like wouldn't get over extended too much, would do a better job throwing kill shots and not getting himself extended. Morales at times can be a little bit wild. But his wrestling chops, size, and physicality – I think that could pose a big problem for Islam.â€
Quotes via MMA Junkie
Get ready, fight fans, because things are really heating up in the welterweight division.
Do you agree that Morales could give the champ problems? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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Movsar Evloev warns Alexander Volkanovski: He hasnt beaten anyone like me
Published
13 hours agoon
October 23, 2026
Evloev says he has pushed himself harder than ever ahead of his
first UFC title shot.
Evloev (20-0) is scheduled to challenge Alexander
Volkanovski (28-4) for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Ahead of the
bout, the unbeaten Russian discussed how his preparations have
differed from previous training camps.
Movsar Evloev details toughest training camp ahead of Alexander
Volkanovski title fight at UFC 333
Evloev said he increased his workload across all aspects of
training to address any potential weaknesses. He believes that
preparation will help him showcase his abilities in Saturday's main
event.
“This preparation is different just because I pushed more than
ever,†Evloev said in a pre-fight interview. “And we did more of
everything to make sure we didn't miss anything. He hasn't beaten
anyone like me. There's many things that make me special, like
unique. And I'm about to show it Saturday.â€
Evloev has long been considered a leading featherweight contender,
with Volkanovski acknowledging him as the most deserving
challenger. However, Diego Lopes
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before Evloev earned his opportunity. The Russian's lack of UFC
finishes has fueled debate about his wait for a championship bout,
though the promotion has not established it as the reason for the
delay.
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.”
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Evloev (@MovsarUFC) discusses his journey to the title shot and
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Volkanovski @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi |
@ParamountPlus https://t.co/fWuJJ7I2sz— UFC News (@UFCNews)
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Joshua Van: Sean Strickland ‘in a bad spot’ in Dana White feud over UFC pay
Published
15 hours agoon
October 23, 2026
Joshua Van sides with UFC boss Dana White in his public feud with Sean Strickland.
For Van, the UFC's flyweight champion, the matter should have been discussed behind closed doors instead of a public forum like social media.
“He just signed a contract in May and fought Khamzat, and then he won,†Van told Outta Pocket. “Instead of going on Twitter and going on all that [expletive], he should have talked to Dana and said, ‘I wanna renegotiate.' Behind closed doors. Then the boss would have been like, ‘OK, let's talk about this, what you want?' You just beat the boogeyman. Now it's a whole mess.â€
“If you work at a 9-to-5 job and you go off to your boss and you're like, pay me this much. Like, what the [expletive]? You know what I mean? So he's in a bad spot right now. He's still under the contract. I don't know how that's gonna work.â€
A 25-year-old flyweight champion who started his professional MMA career when Strickland already had 14 UFC bouts under his belt, Van agrees with Strickland that fighters should get paid more.
However, he doesn't sound unhappy with his current UFC contract. Van recently defended his 125-pound belt with a decision over Alexandre Pantoja, his third title bout win in a span of 10 months, including a fifth-round TKO over Tatsuro Taira in the co-main event of Chimaev vs. Strickland.
“I'm getting paid good,†Van said with a laugh. “I think they pay me good amount; I don't know, but fighter that think they deserve more or—like, should we get paid more? Yes, but, I don't know, I'm happy where I'm at. I start from zero to now, the UFC literally made me where I'm at, gave me everything that I got right now. I don't know, I'm happy right now. I can't really say for the other guy.â€
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UFC 333 prop odds: Krylov-Yakhyaev favored for fastest finish
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