Colby Covington Suggests Michael Morales as Ideal Opponent for Islam Makhachev

As Islam Makhachev prepares for his first defense of the UFC welterweight title, Colby Covington has offered a surprising suggestion for his opponent: undefeated Michael Morales. This comes as Makhachev, who recently became a two-division champion with a dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last November , considers potential challengers.

Shifting Support from Usman to Morales

Whereas Makhachev has expressed a preference for a fight against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, Covington has seemingly changed his stance. Previously supportive of a Usman-Makhachev matchup, “Chaos” now believes Morales presents the most sensible option. “For right now, what’s on the table, I think Michael Morales makes the most sense,” Covington told MMA Junkie.

Covington highlighted Morales’ undefeated record, Ecuadorian nationality, and exciting fighting style as key factors. “He’s undefeated, he’s from Ecuador, we need that Ecuador market, it looks good for South America, and he’s just undefeated,” Covington explained. “He’s been knocking everybody out, he’s an exciting fighter, he has some charisma, he’s a funny guy.”

Other Potential Contenders

Despite Covington’s endorsement of Morales, other fighters remain in contention for a title shot. Ian Machado Garry has publicly called for a fight with Makhachev, accusing the Russian of avoiding the bout. Morales, however, also secured a knockout victory on the same card as Makhachev’s title win, defeating Sean Brady.

Usman, who defeated Joaquin Buckley last summer to end a four-fight losing streak, remains a possibility, though Covington now appears to favor Morales. The question of whether Usman “deserves” a title shot after his accomplishments continues to be debated among fans, and analysts.

Makhachev’s Dominant Rise

Makhachev’s move to welterweight follows a successful reign as the UFC lightweight champion. His victory over Della Maddalena at UFC 322 marked his ascension to becoming the eleventh two-division champion in UFC history. Covington acknowledged Makhachev’s performance, stating he “didn’t see it coming” and praising the Dagestani’s ability to implement his game plan effectively.

Covington also suggested that Ilia Topuria could pose a significant challenge to Makhachev, emphasizing the need to “stuff his takedowns and brawl with him.”