Latest news with #MichaelMorales
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mateusz Gamrot wants to 'ruin' Ludovit Klein's record takedown defense statistic
Michael Morales serious about title run after quick finish of Gilbert Burns UFC Fight Night 256 winner Michael Morales talks to MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight after his first-round TKO of Gilbert Burns in Las Vegas. 18:32 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, May 20: Michael Morales surges
MMA Junkie Staff USA TODAY Sports UFC Fight Night 256 is in the books with a welterweight contender making his impact felt. In the main event, Michael Morales announced his official arrival into the conversation of the division's elite when he made quick work of former title challenger Gilbert Burns and won by first-round TKO at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spinning Back Clique LIVE (noon ET): Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira for vacant UFC belt
Check out this week's "Spinning Back Clique," MMA Junkie's weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week's panel of Brian "Goze" Garcia, Mike Bohn and Matthew Wells will join host Danny Segura live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics: Michael Morales shook up the UFC's welterweight division this past Saturday. In his first promotional main event at UFC Fight Night 256, the Ecuadorian star viciously put away former UFC title challenger Gilbert Burns in the first round of their contest. It was a big win that caught the attention of many. We discuss Morales' breakthrough performance, what's next for his promising career, plus other key results from the card. Finally, the UFC International Fight Week card – UFC 317 – has a main and co-main event. UFC CEO Dana White announced two title fights for the card: Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title, and Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France for the flyweight belt. Were these the right fights to make? Who will leave with 12 pounds of gold? We react to these big announcements. UFC 317 wasn't the only upcoming card that got some big fights added to it. Dricus Du Plessis is set to defend his title at UFC 319 against Khamzat Chimaev; Amir Albazi and Tatsuro Taira have been pit against each other for an August showdown; Patchy Mix debuts against Mario Bautista at UFC 316. We discuss and break down these big bookings. Lastly, UFC on ESPN 68 goes down this Saturday in Las Vegas. In the main event, top women's flyweight contenders Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber throw down. Could this fight be a title eliminator? Who will win? We discuss. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Spinning Back Clique: Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira
Forbes
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Michael Morales Calls Out Ian Machado Garry After UFC Vegas 106 KO Win
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 17: (L-R) Michael Morales of Ecuador punches Gilbert Burns of Brazil in a ... More welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Michael Morales might have been incredibly nervous on Saturday night when he faced former UFC welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC Vegas 106. Still, he contained that uneasiness, ultimately putting Burns away in the first round. After the fight, the undefeated Morales set his sights on Ian Machado Garry, another rising star in the UFC's welterweight division. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 17: Michael Morales of Ecuador reacts after a victory against Gilbert Burns ... More of Brazil in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) "I've talked about Ian (Machado) Garry a lot," Morales said via an interpreter following his win over Burns. "That's the fight I've always wanted to fight, but I know that he won his last fight and he's looking up at the rankings, so that might not happen. "The biggest thing is being healthy and recovering from a couple of strikes that I had and to be in Guadalajara, and I think that fight, if they're able to make it, I would love to fight whoever in Guadalajara. 'I think at this point, taking advantage of opportunties, and being grateful for opportunities, (I would like to fight) the sixth, the fifth, the fourth in the rankings.' Morales entered UFC Vegas 106 as the No. 12 fighter in the official UFC welterweight rankings, while Burns checked in at No. 8. Morales will move up a few notches when those rankings are updated this week. As for Machado Garry, he is No. 6 in those rankings following his April decision win over Carlos Prates. As for the Guadalajara card. That event, UFC 320, is scheduled to take place on September 13 at Arena Guadalajara in Mexico. That event, also known as UFC Noche, does not have any bouts officially booked. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 17: (R-L) Gilbert Burns of Brazil punches Michael Morales of Ecuador in a ... More welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) 'Sure man, I was (expletive) my pants," Morales said. "They don't call him 'Durinho' for nothing. Whoever has to be in the cage with that guy, they would feel the nerves. He's a guy who has fought for a title, the people that he has fought throughout his career. It was important for me to prove to him that the tough guy tonight was me.' LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 17: Michael Morales of Ecuador reacts after a victory against Gilbert Burns ... More of Brazil in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) I wrote the following about Morales's performance on Saturday. With his win he moved to 18-0 as a pro. His stoppage of Burns also earned the 25-year-old his second consecutive 'Performance of the Night' bonus. "Michael Morales was 17-0 and a massive betting favorite when he walked to the Octagon for his matchup with veteran competitor and former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns. As soon as the fighters engaged, it was clear that Morales was the bigger man. However, Burns had a massive advantage in experience, making his pro debut when Morales was just 12 years old. Well, that experience did not help Burns as Morales's size and power proved to be too much for Burns. "Morales looked calm and composed against Burns, and when he hurt his opponent with a right hook around Burns's guard, he followed up with a flurry of punches that left the referee no choice but to wave things off before the four-minute mark of the first stanza. 'Morales might only be 25, but he'll join the UFC welterweight elite with his win over Burns.' We will have more on what's next for Michael Morales, Ian Machado Garry and UFC 320 (UFC Noche) as news breaks.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Michael Morales after UFC Fight Night 256 win?
The UFC welterweight division has yet another new contender after Michael Morales took out Gilbert Burns in Saturday's UFC Fight Night 256 headliner. Morales (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) added a signature win to his perfect record when he hurt Burns (22-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC) with strikes early and often en route to a first-round TKO at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The Ecuadorian validated his hype with the performance, and is now looking for another big name to take him into the next tier of title contention. What does the future hold for UFC Vegas 106 winner Michael Morales, who is now 18-0? We attempt to play matchmaker. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Vegas 106 matchmaker: Who's next for Michael Morales after win?
