Carlos Prates believes Islam Makhachev is a better striker than knockout artist Michael Morales and has explained why he believes so.
While the undefeated Morales has 14 knockout victories in his 19-0 record and Makhachev has just five KO/TKO wins on his resume, the Brazilian is still convinced that fighting Makhachev on the feet would be more difficult than fighting Morales.
During a recent interview with Laerte Viana, “The Nightmare” said that Morales is not very technical and will rely on his strength, press forward, and try to knock him out. However, Makhachev has developed a serious and smart striking game with the help of several kickboxing training partners and legendary coach Javier Mendez. Prates said:
“I don’t think Morales is that technical. I actually think Makhachev is a better striker than him. I think fighting Makhachev on the feet would be more difficult than fighting Morales. He [Makhachev] has a really good striking coach, Javier Mendez. He also has several kickboxing training partners, guys who are really good at kickboxing. So I think that would make the fight even more difficult. He’s also very good at takedowns and would constantly be going for them.”
“So, yeah, I think fighting Makhachev would be more difficult than fighting Morales. Against Morales, we’d be dealing with his strength, that runaway train coming forward, trying to knock people out. So I think that would be the less difficult fight.”
Check out Carlos Prates’ comments about Islam Makhachev and Michael Morales below:
Makhachev’s last knockout victory came at UFC 294, when he sent Alexander Volkanovski to the shadow realm. However, in his recent outings, including UFC 322 and UFC 330, he has continued to showcase his power.
The reigning welterweight champion dropped one of the most technical strikers at 170 pounds, Ian Machado Garry, with a head kick at UFC 330. Against Dustin Poirier as well at UFC 302, Makhachev demonstrated impressive striking prowess.
Morales, on the other hand, possesses serious knockout power and is riding a three-fight winning streak, with all three victories coming by first-round knockout. He is young and possesses one-punch knockout power, but how well-rounded he is and whether he can survive in deep waters remains to be seen.
Carlos Prates Will Take On Michael Morales Next
Islam Makhachev was not willing to return in Jan. at UFC 336 to defend his welterweight strap. Therefore, in his absence, the company has decided to go forward with Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales for the interim belt in the co-main event of the aforementioned numbered event.
While we discussed Makhachev and Morales’ striking, Prates arguably has the best striking among the three. The Nightmare” has knocked out two former champions in his last two fights and is also the first man to knock out Leon Edwards. Prates has 19 KO/TKO wins on his resume and has won all his UFC bouts to date by knockout.
If Prates wins the interim title by beating Morales, he arguably has the best chance of dethroning the Dagestani wrestling maestro when the two lock horns to unify the straps, potentially later in 2027.
