The UFC 330 main event has an insurance policy as top welterweight contender Michael Morales will serve as the back to the title fight between champion Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry.
Morales on Wednesday revealed during an interview with ESPN Deportes’ Carlos Contreras Gelaspi that he will be in Philadelphia to make weight for the August 15th title fight (Paramount+) at Xfinity Mobile Arena in case Makhachev or Machado Garry falls out.
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“Either I’m going to be a replacement in this fight between Islam and Ian Garry, or I’ll fight one more time against whomever,” Morales said in Spanish (h/t Championship Rounds on X). “They’re saying (Carlos) Prates, others are saying another fighter in the same division, but I said whatever they want. But I’m still going to make weight for August 15th. … I’m still going to show up to make weight and, well, with my luck, if God allows it and they let me fight that day, we’ll be there fighting for the title. But whatever happens, happens.”
Morales, No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie welterweight rankings, had been in the running to be Makhachev’s opponent up until last week, but the UFC went with Machado Garry instead.
Morales is undefeated in his career at 19-0, which includes his first seven octagon appearances dating back to his January 2022 debut after earning a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series. Morales especially has broken through in his past three fights by finishing Neil Magny, Gilbert Burns and most recently Sean Brady last November at UFC 322, all in the first round.
It would be an intriguing turn of events if Makhachev became unavailable to defend his title to set up a Machado Garry vs. Morales matchup. Earlier this week, Machado Garry recommended Morales move up to middleweight. Morales took exception to that suggestion, telling Machado Garry to “suck it,” in response.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 330: Backup fighter tabbed for Makhachev vs. Machado Garry
