Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight champion Islam Makhachev defended his 170-pound title with a unanimous decision victory over No. 2-ranked contender Ian Machado Garry atop the UFC 330 fight card last weekend at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Makhachev is hoping to return by the end of the year (or perhaps early January) and is leaning toward a potential showdown against No. 1-ranked Carlos Prates. That said, the former lightweight is also open to a potential title defense opposite
No. 3-ranked contender Michael Morales.
BetOnline.ag has the opening odds for both fights:
Islam Makhachev: -250
Carlos Prates: +205
Islam Makhachev: -200
Michael Morales: +175
Morales was the official backup for the UFC 330 main event.
“I’m happy we have some real contenders in this division,” Makhachev (29-1) said at the UFC 330 post-fight press conference. “These guys, Morales, Prates, they make me train every day more hard because I can see these are the real fighters that can give me good fights. Maybe Prates because Morales also is good but I don’t remember last time he fight. If you ask who is more deserving, I think Carlos Prates.”
Morales (19-0) has not competed since knocking out Sean Brady at UFC 322. Prates (24-7) is coming off a technical knockout win over Jack Della Maddalena back in May but also holds a unanimous decision loss to Garry from early 2025, which may keep “The Nightmare” from realizing his dream.
For more UFC 330 news and highlights click here.
