“The Future” has given advice.
No. 1-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight contender Ian Garry finally gets his shot at UFC gold when he takes on reigning 170-pound kingpin Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 330, which goes down Sat., Aug. 15, 2026, inside Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
After years of stagnant rankings and familiar names hanging around the top of the division, UFC’s Welterweight class is suddenly loaded with young, hungry killers and fresh
contenders.
But with that comes a logjam.
There was a case that Brazilian knockout artist Carlos Prates could have snuck into the next title shot after scoring back-to-back knockouts over former UFC champions. However, with Garry holding a win over Prates, “The Nightmare” was basically boxed out.
Then there is the boogeyman of the division: Michael Morales.
Morales destroyed Sean Brady in his last outing (watch highlights), and plenty of fans wanted to see the undefeated Ecuadorian get the call against Makhachev because of his size, finishing ability, and terrifying upside.
Garry, however, believes Morales should move up a weight class because, in his eyes, Morales is behind Prates in the pecking order.
“It’s unarguable that [Prates has done more than him],” Garry told Ariel Helwani. “I don’t know what Morales is going to do right now. He’s been out for nine months of action as well. He’s going to be out for at least another nine months because I can’t guarantee when I’m going to [defend] against Prates or Shavkat — but Prates has done more than anyone in this sport, and he deserves the next title shot.”
Then Garry offered Morales some career advice.
“If I was Michael Morales, you know what my advice would be to him? Go up to 185,” Garry said. “Because you’re young, you’re big, you’re somewhat talented. There is a lack of stars up there in the sport. I think he could do very well there.
“But if he wants to stay at 170, I’ll punch a hole in his head at some point.”
So, is Garry giving Morales legitimate advice? Or does he simply not want to deal with the ridiculous size and danger Morales brings to the Welterweight division?
Either way, Morales heard the suggestion and responded on Instagram.
“I just want to say one thing to Ian Garry,” Morales said. “Suck it.”
Well, that settles that.
Morales is not going anywhere, and if Garry gets past Makhachev, it sounds like another massive Welterweight grudge match is already waiting for him.
