UFC analyst Michael Chiesa doesn't think that matchmakers can miss when deciding the next title challenger for Islam Makhachev.
There are seemingly two frontrunners for Makhachev (29-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC) after his historic UFC 330 title defense over Ian Machado Garry this month: Carlos Prates and Michael Morales.
Both men are making their cases publicly, and are intriguing in their own ways. Prates (24-7 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has the momentum of back-to-back knockouts over ex-champs Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards, while Morales (19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is undefeated and is perhaps the most powerful striker at 170 pounds.
"Prates has a lot of steam," Chiesa told MMA Junkie. "Look what he did to Jack Della, Geoff Neal, he rebounded from the Ian Garry fight
with flying colours. And he's a fan favorite. I'm a big Carlos Prates. Michael Morales weighed in as the backup (at UFC 330). That has to be rewarded. And we have to give Michael Morales his flowers. He's f*cking huge. The guy is massive.
"For him to through that process of having to make 170, that's a chore in itself. That's an understatement. That guy has to work hard to make championship weight. I'm on the fence because Prates obviously has the steam from the company and the fans, but why didn't he weigh in as the backup? For Michael Morales' efforts, he should get something."
Chiesa admits Brazil's Prates "has the better resume" compared to Ecuador's Morales, and that might ultimately be the difference-maker in who gets the call. In terms of a direct skillset matchup with Makhachev, though, Chiesa, as a former longtime welterweight who now serves as a breakdown specialist and commentator, it's hard not to look at Morales' traits as the largest threat to end the longest winning streak in UFC history.
"Morales is the biggest guy at 170 pounds," Chiesa said. "He is the biggest welterweight, so the size and the wrestling, I think that could give him more problems than Prates. But I do think prates has more capability of landing a knockout shot. At times Michael can get a little bit wild. The more wild you are with your striking, the better lanes are created for a wrestler to shoot.
"Prates, I feel like wouldn't get over extended too much, would do a better job throwing kill shots and not getting himself extended. Morales at times can be a little bit wild. But his wrestling chops, size, and physicality – I think that could pose a big problem for Islam."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC analyst: Michael Morales poses 'big problem' for Islam Makhachev
