Bisping: Makhachev earns middleweight shot by beating Prates or Morales
Islam Makhachev will earn a middleweight title shot by defeating the winner of the upcoming interim bout between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, according to analysis from Michael Bisping. The reigning welterweight champion previously anticipated defending his title at UFC 336 in January 2027, but the division's rankings and matchups changed when promotion officials booked Prates against Morales for the interim belt instead.
Evaluating the Welterweight Contender Queue
Makhachev (29-1) voiced support for an interim matchup to settle the division’s top contenders. In an interview with Pound4Padel reported by newsbreak.com, the champion questioned whether Michael Morales (19-0)—who has not competed since November 2025—deserved an immediate title shot without an intervening victory. Makhachev also noted that Carlos Prates (24-7) holds a recent defeat against Ian Garry, an opponent Makhachev defeated in August.
“Prates and Morales will fight to determine who is a true worthy contender,” Makhachev told Pound4Padel, as cited by newsbreak.com. “And I will fight [the winner]. It’s good; it makes it more interesting. They offered me a fight against Prates, who recently lost to someone I beat. And if I beat him, Morales would already be next in line, who is not fighting and waiting [for a title shot]. Just let them fight and we will figure out who is the real challenger.”
Prates has finished all seven of his UFC victories, stopping Geoff Neal, Leon Edwards, and Jack Della Maddalena following his unanimous decision loss to Garry. Morales enters the interim mix following a finish of Sean Brady in his most recent appearance.
Bisping Outlines the Path to Three-Division History
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Michael Bisping argued that a victory over the Prates-Morales victor leaves no room for promotion matchmakers to deny Makhachev a move to 185 pounds. Bisping pointed to Alex Pereira’s recent pursuit of an interim heavyweight title after reclaiming the light heavyweight belt as a precedent for multi-division aspirations.
“Moving up to 185 and trying to become the triple champ? I like the sound of that and if anyone deserves it, it is Islam Makhachev,” Bisping said. “You can’t say that Islam Makhachev hasn’t earned that opportunity.”
Makhachev has acknowledged the immense physical challenge of adding weight. Speaking to UFC on Paramount prior to his first welterweight title defense in August, the champion admitted that moving up from lightweight required difficult physical adjustments and suggested that conquering middleweight would present an even steeper test. With time no longer on his side and retirement nearing after a decision not to extend his run indefinitely, a single successful defense at welterweight against the Prates-Morales winner could clear the final hurdle toward history.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.