Michael Morales, an undefeated UFC fighter from Ecuador, has identified Shavkat Rakhmonov as a potential opponent for 2027. The Ecuadorian fighter described the Kazakh fighter as the «final boss» of the welterweight division and also called out Islam Makhachev and Carlos Prates.
Morales released a statement outlining his desired path forward in the UFC. He first addressed Makhachev, the reigning welterweight (77 kg) champion.
The Ecuadorian also addressed Prates directly. Morales agreed to fight the Brazilian, expecting to win and earn a shot at the title.
«Prates, you say the UFC never offered you a fight against me. You say you’ll knock me out in the first round. Great, bro, let’s do it! Spider-Man versus Deadpool. You want the belt, I want the belt. Let’s find out who’s next,» he said.
At the same time, Morales also considered an alternative scenario. If Makhachev chooses to face Prates instead, the Ecuadorian intends to shift his focus to Rakhmonov.
«Islam, if you prefer Prates because you want an easier fight… I’ve got someone else in mind for 2027. The final boss of this division is Shavkat Rakhmonov. You know where to find me.»
Morales remains undefeated in his professional career, boasting a record of 19 wins in 19 fights. He has been competing in the UFC since 2022. The Ecuadorian’s last bout took place in November 2025, when he knocked out Sean Brady in the first round. Morales is currently No. 3 in the UFC welterweight rankings.
Rakhmonov has not competed for nearly two years. In February 2026, the UFC removed him from the official welterweight rankings because of his prolonged inactivity. The Kazakh fighter is continuing his recovery from a knee injury, and his return to the Octagon is not expected before 2027. He holds a 19-0 professional record, with 18 wins by stoppage.
Rakhmonov has previously described himself as Makhachev’s toughest potential opponent in the UFC. He has said he’s ready to face the Russian athlete and aims to re-enter the title race once he resumes competing.
