Brady Says Morales Bigger Threat To Makhachev Than Prates

Sean Brady thinks his former opponent Michael Morales presents a tougher challenge for Islam Makhachev than Carlos Prates does.

Makhachev defended the welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 earlier this month, extending his dominance with a unanimous decision. Two contenders now jockey for the next shot: Prates, who stopped former titleholder Jack Della Maddalena this year and says the UFC told him he's next, and Morales, whose unbeaten run includes wins over Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, and Neil Magny.

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Brady Breaks Down The Matchups

Brady, who lost to Morales, told The Ariel Helwani Show that while Prates carries knockout power, Morales carries more mystery. "I think Prates can knock anybody out, for sure. Out of Prates and Morales, everyone's gonna say I'm biased because I lost to Morales, but I think Morales will give Islam a harder time," he said, per BJPenn.com. Brady pointed to tape study showing fighters in ONE Championship taking Prates down and controlling him on the mat, a blueprint he expects Makhachev to follow.

Morales, by contrast, remains untested in key areas. "We still don't know how good his ground game is," Brady continued. "We don't know how good his cardio is. We don't know all these things, and I think that's gonna play a lot more of a factor." Brady had lobbied for the Prates fight himself before Makhachev entered the picture.

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The UFC has not announced Makhachev's next defense. Both Prates and Morales are expected to be in the mix when the promotion sets its welterweight schedule for the fall.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Michael Morales’ former rival endorses him as bigger threat to Islam Makhachev than Carlos Prates