Should These Two Hard-Hitting Welterweights Face Off for the Next Title Shot?
The Welterweight Division landscape changed drastically last weekend at UFC 322. We had a new champion crowned in Islam Makhachev, who was able to dismantle Jack Della Maddalena systematically. Islam now has many options as to who he wants his first title defense to be up against. That same day, both Carlos Prates and Michael Morales had devastating knockout victories and called their shot at the champ. With many fighters deserving of a title shot, I think fans and both fighters would be eager to see these two hard-hitting welterweights square off for a chance at a shot at the title. Would Morales show he’s just too large for the weight class, or will Prates show that if you stand with him, you will go to sleep?
Carlos Prates came into the UFC from Dana White's Contender Series with so much hype, and he quickly proved why by finishing his first four opponents all by knockout. His hype train got derailed for a bit after he was controlled and outclassed by Ian Garry earlier this year. However, he has bounced back dynamically by finishing both Geoff Neal and Leon Edwards as knockout of the year candidates. In this matchup against Morales, he would throw a much different problem for him. Prates is always bouncing on his feet and sticking, and moving, and has very fast hands. He is an elite counter striker, and if he lands that straight left, anyone will get output. Morales likes to close the distance and unleash a barrage of hard combos, but Prates baits his opponents to come in and throws those devastating knees up the middle and to the liver. If Prates can circle early on and stay on the outside, he could pick Morales apart and slow him down the same way Jake Matthews was able to do in their matchup.
Michael Morales showed once more that he truly is an anomaly in the Welterweight Division. He is absolutely massive and showed his size in his one-sided victory over Sean Brady, who never even got his gameplay started. He has such a tight and low base that it’s hard to get close to grappling with him, and when you do, he unleashes a barrage of combos that any of them could put you out. In a matchup against Prates, and considering how he fights, Morales will need to be in his face and aggressive, the way Ian Garry was, which made Prates hesitate to get going. The difference is that Prates was worried about the takedown from Ian, but with Morales, his power will be much different from anyone that Prates has fought. Morales has good striking defense, avoiding and rolling with the big shots well, so the more he puts Prates on the back foot, the more success he will have to land the combo he needs to put him out.
This would be a masterclass of striking between two of the very best we have in the UFC right now. Both these fighters are electric and have put on shows throughout their short time in the UFC, so you can be sure there will be fireworks in this one. Whichever way this fight goes, you're not going to want to miss it. We will see what Dana White and his committee have planned for the Welterweight Division and which direction they want to go.
