Michael Morales has accepted a fight offer from Ian Machado-Garry. Now, we have to see if the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will sign off on it.
Morales and Garry have been circling each other for months, with Morales talking some trash about Garry and “The Future” confronting Morales about it backstage at UFC 330 (here’s why). Now, Morales is sharing text messages from “The Future,” showing the Irish athlete angling for a fight with the top-ranked Welterweight contender.
“I wanna fight before the end of the year and I’m being told you’re not available,” Garry texted Morales. “You were able to be the back up for the world title fight but not able to take a fight with me now? You’ve also asked to be a back up for the next title fight, but still not available to fight with me?
“Looks like someone is avoiding me,” he added. “Talk all that s–t online then don’t agree to fight? What’s going on here?”
“My son, what are you talking about?” Morales replied. “I fight whenever you want I just want a contract and that’s it I’ll kick your ass.”
Garry then called his shot, suggesting “Saudi [Arabia]. November 28th. Let’s do it.”
“Sign it, my son, and we’ll do it,” Morales replied.
A Saudi Arabia fight night on Nov. 28, 2026, isn’t on UFC’s official schedule … yet. But, we doubt Garry would be throwing around dates that don’t exist. The only question now: will UFC go ahead with this fighter-led matchmaking exercise? Are Dana White & Co. still interested in giving Garry the big fights after he signed a management deal with White’s mortal enemy, Eddie Hearn?
And will Morales really sign on the dotted line when he’s one injury to Carlos Prates from sliding into a 170-pound title shot? So many questions surrounding this potential fight, but there’s no denying it’d be one helluva battle.
In The Works
Interesting fight. If MM can beat Ian he is legit. He made Sean look really shitty but I’d like to see him fight one more time before getting a title shot. You know everyone is practicing their butt drags.
Ian MACHADO Garry
Bwhahahaah
I can’t not laugh at that clown for taking his wife’s ex husband’s name.
One thing is for sure, MACHADO Garry could make any fight as boring as possible.
Talk all the shit about Garry that you want, but one thing you can never accuse him of is dodging fights.
Shavkat, Belal, Prates, Islam, and now Morales.
Stupid match making. Garry should fight winner of Brady/Bonfim. Morales should fight Prates.
It’s ridiculous that it will take Morales an entire year to fight again after cakewalking through Brady.
Any word or injuries or the like?!?!
LOVE The MMA IQ here as Usual