Q&A: Coach Raul Arvizu on Michael Morales knocking out Gilbert Burns, MMA evolution, more

USA Today

20-05-2025

Q&A: Coach Raul Arvizu on Michael Morales knocking out Gilbert Burns, MMA evolution, more Michael Morales' head coach Raul Arvizu discusses his career following his big KO win at UFC Fight Night 256.
Michael Morales is the new kid on the UFC title-contention block.
The undefeated rising contender impressed the MMA world and established himself as a title threat with his most recent win in the octagon. This past Saturday, Morales (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) quickly dispatched long-time contender and former title challenger Gilbert Burns (22-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 256 in Las Vegas. Burns, who has fought the who's who at 170 pounds, has never been finished that dominantly.
With an exciting title contender on the rise, MMA Junkie caught up with the man behind the man, Entram Gym head-coach Raul Arvizu – who's been alongside Morales this entire UFC journey.
Below, you can find a transcription of Arvizu's interview in Spanish on Hablemos MMA discussing Morales' big KO win over Burns, his evolution and potential in MMA, what could be next for his career, and more.
First UFC main event, former title challenger in Burns, it was a big moment. Were you nervous?
Arvizu: "Yes and no. Part of my job is to not get nervous. I've been in more than 100 UFC corners. I've been in title fights. It's not the first time I'm in a headliner. I always say the day of the fight, 'What a great opportunity. I hope we do well.' That's all I can say. I try to be very cold, and I try to be as stoic as possible for the benefit of Michael. I even get teased by the team for not having emotions. There's an image out there when Michael wins. I don't even move. Part of my job is staying cool and focused on the fight."
Not many, including myself, expected Morales to run through Burns. What was your reaction to the KO and was that the plan?
Arvizu: "The strategy was obvious from both parties. The jab was very important. The jab to the chest because Burns changes levels a lot, and he could split the jab and counter with an overhand. So stick the jab out there, draw him in to lessen his power, which Michael did well, and work the basics. The one-two, the three-uppercut, which he connected, defend the wrestling to the death. The plan was to secure the first two rounds with distance, rhythm and speed, and then in the third start being more aggressive. But all my planning and strategy, Michael didn't make it happen. He wanted to win in the first. Part of the strategy was so he didn't get tired because it was his first five-round fight."
Morales made a big statement. Do you think he's looked at differently now?
Arvizu: "I did feel a change in Michael's career after this fight. I don't think it was so much in popularity, but I felt it with the people of the UFC, they see how hard Michael is. I don't think we're in a position to fight for a belt, and I don't even want that personally, Michael does, obviously, but we are in the consideration that one day we will fight for a UFC title. That's what I feel."
What do you want next for Morales?
Arvizu: "Leon Edwards, I like that fight. I think he might already have something lined up, but hopefully he doesn't. I like (Geof) Neal. Michael has a killer's mentality, if it was up to him, he'd be figjting for the UFC title today. But that's why he has me to slow him down, 'Michael, let's be smart. Not that I don't believe in you, but you are 25 years old.' I already had a champion before, and I told him that we weren't going to be champions at 27 and at 28 it happened. The same with Michael. ... So I think those two, outside of that there's (Kamaru) Usman or (Joaquin) Buckley, Ian Garry, Shavkat Rakhmonov. I think we're a fight or two to be in title contention, so maybe a year or two to be in that position. There's not many Latinos like Michael that find themselves in this position. We have to try to be smart and try to seek growth."
How do you see the welterweight title picture? It's a very tough division.
Arvizu: "A year or two I thought we had a chance at becoming champions, but it also depends on the division. There are a lot of fighters that could've been champions but because of one fighter, like a Jones, Holloway, Aldo, those fighters never became champions. I thought hopefully the starts align and Michael evolves, and the division is not that complicated, but right now it's tough everywhere. The No. 1 pound-for-pound just went up to welterweight. I was actually rooting for Belal to win, so this wouldn't happen. But this is our reality, we can't do anything about it, but I think you're right. We have young guys like Ian Garry, Michael Morales, behind them like (Gabriel) Bomfin, Carlos Prates, in fact the division is so tough that there are hard fights outside the rankings. The good thing is that Michael is just about to turn 26. I think his prime will be between 28 and 32."