TLDR
- Ian Machado Garry and Michael Morales exchanged Instagram messages about fighting in a title eliminator bout
- Both fighters agreed to fight on November 28th in Saudi Arabia, but the UFC has not officially announced the matchup
- Carlos Prates has emerged as another potential challenger for Islam Makhachev’s welterweight title
- Training partner Caio Borralho believes a Prates vs Makhachev fight would be dangerous for both fighters
- Makhachev wants to fight before the winter fasting period begins and currently has no confirmed next opponent
Sources: yardbarker.com | mmasucka.com
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev is waiting for his next title defense, and multiple contenders are now making their case for the opportunity. The division’s top fighters have started calling each other out as they compete for the number one contender spot.
Ian Machado Garry lost his title shot against Makhachev in August at UFC 330, suffering just his second career MMA loss. Michael Morales has won seven straight fights in the UFC since making his debut in January 2022 and has won 19 consecutive fights overall.
The two welterweights exchanged messages on Instagram this week about fighting each other to determine the next title challenger. Machado Garry sent the first message asking why Morales was not available to fight before the end of the year.
“I wanna fight before the end of the year, and I’m being told you’re not available,” Machado Garry wrote. “You were able to be the backup for the world title fight but not able to take a fight with me now?”
Morales responded that he is ready to fight whenever needed. “My son, what are you talking about?” Morales replied. “I fight whenever you want; I just want a contract, and that’s it. I’ll kick your a**.”
arnold barboza jr. ASKED bobby green who his HARDEST UFC FIGHT was 😳🥊🔥
bobby immediately brought up ISLAM MAKHACHEV, saying he was one of the TOUGHEST TESTS he’s faced 👀💀 islam’s ability to compete around both 155 and 170 made the matchup even more challenging, especially… pic.twitter.com/SHNyLmfzxC
— kickclips (@khan982788) September 17, 2026
Saudi Arabia Fight Proposed for November
Machado Garry then proposed a specific date and location for their potential matchup. “Saudi [Arabia] [on] November 28th let’s do it,” he wrote back to Morales.
Morales agreed to the date in his final message. “Sign it, my son, and we’ll do it,” he said. The UFC has not officially announced the fight as of Monday evening.
The exchange between the two fighters has been viewed over half a million times on social media. Both fighters appear eager to secure the next title shot against Makhachev.
Of Morales’ 19 career wins, 14 have come by knockout. He has finished nearly 79 percent of his fights with either knockouts or submissions.
Carlos Prates Enters Title Picture
Another contender has entered the conversation for a title shot against Makhachev. Carlos Prates, known as one of the most dangerous strikers in the welterweight division, could be in line for a championship opportunity.
Caio Borralho, who trains with Prates at Fighting Nerds, shared his thoughts on how a potential matchup would play out. “I think it’s a dangerous matchup for both guys,” Borralho told MMA Fighting.
Borralho believes Makhachev has never faced someone with Prates’ striking ability. “I don’t think Makhachev ever fought a guy like Prates that hurts you, makes you feel pain and other stuff with the leg kicks and all the stuff,” he said.
However, Borralho also recognized Makhachev’s grappling as a major threat to his training partner. “On the other way, [Makhachev] has the grappling. This is the antidote to the striking, right? I think it’s a hard matchup for both guys.”
Makhachev defended the lightweight title four consecutive times before moving up to welterweight. He defeated Jack Della Maddalena in November 2025 to claim the welterweight championship.
Borralho noted that Makhachev appeared tired in his last fight, which could create opportunities for a striker like Prates. “We saw [Makhachev] got tired in his last fight like he’s not used to,” Borralho said. “And I think if got tired like that against a guy like Carlos, he’s gonna get hurt.”
Makhachev wants to defend his title before the winter fasting period begins, which would affect his training camp and rehydration schedule. UFC 335 is scheduled for December 12th in Las Vegas but does not yet have a confirmed main event.
Neither Prates nor Makhachev currently has a confirmed opponent for their next fight. The UFC has not announced when Makhachev will make his next title defense or who his opponent will be.
