Michael Morales announces January UFC return, shuts down Ian Machado Garry rumors

yahoo sports mma |  

Michael Morales has confirmed his UFC return.

The undefeated welterweight last competed almost a year ago, defeating Sean Brady in a one-sided win. He sits at #3 in the division and believes one more victory will earn him a title shot. While it seemed all signs pointed toward an Ian Machado Garry clash, those rumors have been dispelled.

Discussing his UFC comeback, Michael Morales revealed neither Ian Machado Garry nor Carlos Prates will be his next opponent. Morales said Garry already has a fight booked and won’t be available for his ideal return window, while speculation suggests Prates is next in line for a title shot.

“As for my fights, I already have one lined up,” Morales said. “I was in Vegas discussing it because they hadn’t given me a fight for a whole year. We were pushing to see if we could fight in December, but it looks like the fight will be in January instead, against a very tough opponent.”

“It’s neither Prates nor Ian Garry. Neither wants to fight. And Ian Garry supposedly said I wasn’t available, but he already has a fight booked. He wanted to skip another fighter, and that’s supposedly why he wanted to fight me in December.”

Questions remain regarding who Michael Morales will face next. But the opponent doesn’t matter for Morales; his sights are firmly on a date with the champion.

A win in his next outing will extend Morales’ record to 19-0; one of the better unbeaten records in the UFC. He considers himself ready for a title shot and is relishing the opportunity.

“We accepted the January fight, which is my last fight before a title shot. I think that would be it. Then, God willing, we need to win that fight, and then we’ll fight for the title in June, God willing.