Islam Makhachev’s next opponent seemingly set as Michael Morales announces January return

Michael Morales announced he has agreed to return to the Octagon in January against an unnamed opponent, ruling himself out of an immediate title challenge against Islam Makhachev. Morales stated this upcoming bout will be his final contest before pursuing a title fight, which he hopes to secure by June. With Morales occupied, Carlos Prates appears positioned as the frontrunner to challenge Makhachev next.

Morales revealed that negotiations were held in Las Vegas after being sidelined for a year, and confirmed his January opponent is neither Prates nor Ian Machado Garry. He previously served as a backup for an August welterweight title bout and noted that Machado Garry was unavailable due to an existing fight booking, despite recent social media exchanges between the pair.