It’s looking more likely that Islam Makhachev shall be granted his wish.
The UFC welterweight champion has made it pretty clear who he desires to face in the primary defense of his title.
It has been said that the UFC’s offer to Makhachev for him to fight in January was turned down by Khabib Nurmagomedov, who doesn’t want their team to have multiple big fights on the identical night.
After being dominant at lightweight, the Russian’s move up a weight class has opened up several interesting matchups that could possibly be next for him.
While fans voted for Ilia Topuria to be Makhachev’s next challenger, a number of the other popular selections have seemingly been faraway from the race.
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Who’s the largest threat to Islam Makhachev at welterweight?
Michael Morales says he’s had conversations about fighting Jack Della Maddalena in June
Islam Makhachev recently reaffirmed that Kamaru Usman is who he desires to face in his first defense of the welterweight title.
The champion’s manager claimed that when the UFC reached out about him potentially fighting in January, it was Usman and Ian Machado Garry whose names were within the conversation.
With Makhachev believing that Shavkat Rakhmonov isn’t in the combo as a result of his long period of inactivity, there are still several other names who’re currently in and across the title picture.
Many have argued that while there are actually larger names than him within the division, essentially the most deserving contender can be Michael Morales.
If Michael Morales doesn’t get the following title shot, who should he face next?
Tell us what you think that ought to be next for the undefeated star within the comments below.
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Of all of the welterweights who won recently, his performance was essentially the most impressive, with the undefeated Morales stopping Sean Brady in the primary round on the identical night that a brand new champion was crowned.
Nonetheless, in a recent interview with El Canal del Futbol, the 26-year-old claimed that the conversations he’s had suggest that he’ll be waiting to welcome back the person who recently lost the welterweight gold.
“My [next] opponent could possibly be Jack Della Maddalena,” Morales revealed. “Perhaps it would be him. We’re waiting for that. They simply told me that a fight could occur on June 14 [the UFC White House card] or around June.”
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Michael Morales isn’t the one welterweight contender that’s targeting Jack Della Maddalena
In case you aren’t getting the following title shot, beating the last man to carry the belt is probably going going to be the following best choice for the contenders within the welterweight division.
Consequently, it isn’t just Michael Morales who’s seemingly targeting Jack Della Maddalena because the opponent who will cement his status as a top contender.
Carlos Prates told MMA Fighting in a recent interview that he’s hoping to face ‘JDM’ in April.
Many fans suggested after each men won in impressive fashion on the identical night that Morales and Prates ought to be matched up in what would still likely be a title eliminator.
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