Michael Morales
Ecuador
Closing in on title shot
Morales defeated Sean Brady via TKO (punches) at 3:27 of Round 1 at UFC 322 on Saturday in New York City.
ANALYSIS
This guy is a real problem at 170 pounds. Morales is just 6-foot, but possesses a ridiculous 79-inch reach. He used that length to remain to the outside and fire off a piston-like jab which picked Brady apart. He landed countless massive blows and had Sean in all sorts of trouble in multiple occasions before finally landing a knockout and the stoppage with about 90 seconds left in the opening frame. That would go on to earn him one of four $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening. 14 of Morales' 18 career wins have come via knockout, but both of his parents are judo black belts, and he also has a high-level wrestling background. He, along with Carlos Prates, who also won via knockout earlier in the evening, have real claims to be next in line for the winner of the upcoming Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev title fight which will close the show.
This guy is a real problem at 170 pounds. Morales is just 6-foot, but possesses a ridiculous 79-inch reach. He used that length to remain to the outside and fire off a piston-like jab which picked Brady apart. He landed countless massive blows and had Sean in all sorts of trouble in multiple occasions before finally landing a knockout and the stoppage with about 90 seconds left in the opening frame. That would go on to earn him one of four $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening. 14 of Morales' 18 career wins have come via knockout, but both of his parents are judo black belts, and he also has a high-level wrestling background. He, along with Carlos Prates, who also won via knockout earlier in the evening, have real claims to be next in line for the winner of the upcoming Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev title fight which will close the show.
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Next fight scheduled
Morales will face Sean Brady at UFC 322 on Nov. 15, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Morales, fresh off a TKO win over Gilbert Burns, will look to win a seventh consecutive UFC win. He'll have to defeat Burns, though, who's won three straight fights.
Morales, fresh off a TKO win over Gilbert Burns, will look to win a seventh consecutive UFC win. He'll have to defeat Burns, though, who's won three straight fights.
Rise to top continues
Morales defeated Gilbert Burns via TKO (punches) at 3:39 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
In case there was any doubt, Morales is legit. A win over Burns means less at this time than at any point in the past decade-plus, but he was still by far the best opponent Morales had faced to date and he passed the test with flying colors. Entering as a -550 favor, Morales showed his trademark composure in overwhelming Burns on the feet. He did give up one takedown but immediately worked his way back to the feet and finished his opponent moments later. Now a perfect 6-0 in the UFC in addition to picking up a win on Dana White's Contender Series, the company is going to have a difficult time slow playing things with Morales. He's simply too talented.
In case there was any doubt, Morales is legit. A win over Burns means less at this time than at any point in the past decade-plus, but he was still by far the best opponent Morales had faced to date and he passed the test with flying colors. Entering as a -550 favor, Morales showed his trademark composure in overwhelming Burns on the feet. He did give up one takedown but immediately worked his way back to the feet and finished his opponent moments later. Now a perfect 6-0 in the UFC in addition to picking up a win on Dana White's Contender Series, the company is going to have a difficult time slow playing things with Morales. He's simply too talented.
Date changes again
Morales' scheduled welterweight matchup against Gilbert Burns has been moved to the main event of UFC Apex on May 17, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
This is the third date for this fight. It was originally scheduled for UFC 314 in April, and then it was bumped to UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10. Now it's been moved to a main event at UFC Apex. Similar to what happened with the previous change of dates, no official reason was provided for the fight being moved.
This is the third date for this fight. It was originally scheduled for UFC 314 in April, and then it was bumped to UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10. Now it's been moved to a main event at UFC Apex. Similar to what happened with the previous change of dates, no official reason was provided for the fight being moved.
New date for Burns fight
Morales' scheduled welterweight matchup against Gilbert Burns has been moved to UFC 315 on May 10 in Montreal, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
This matchup was originally scheduled for UFC 314 in April, but given the run of additions to that card Wednesday night, company brass likely wanted to beef up its next pay-per-view instead. Morales already has a spot in the rankings in a deep 170-pound division, but a win over a former title contender in Burns could propel him into the top-10. He has momentum on his side, as Burns is on a three-fight losing streak, and Morales sports a spotless 17-0 professional record (5-0 UFC). As a result, he's set to enter as a significant betting favorite, though it can be argued that Burns is easily his toughest test to date.
This matchup was originally scheduled for UFC 314 in April, but given the run of additions to that card Wednesday night, company brass likely wanted to beef up its next pay-per-view instead. Morales already has a spot in the rankings in a deep 170-pound division, but a win over a former title contender in Burns could propel him into the top-10. He has momentum on his side, as Burns is on a three-fight losing streak, and Morales sports a spotless 17-0 professional record (5-0 UFC). As a result, he's set to enter as a significant betting favorite, though it can be argued that Burns is easily his toughest test to date.
Draws Burns at UFC 314
Morales will fight Gilbert Burns at UFC 314 on April 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Morales currently boasts an impressive 17-0 record as a pro and a 5-0 record in the UFC, which gives him a significant momentum advantage over Burns, who has dropped each of his last three fights.
Morales currently boasts an impressive 17-0 record as a pro and a 5-0 record in the UFC, which gives him a significant momentum advantage over Burns, who has dropped each of his last three fights.