Michael Morales didn’t just arrive at UFC Vegas 106; he detonated. In the most explosive performance of his career, the Ecuadorian phenom steamrolled Gilbert Burns with brutal accuracy, establishing himself as a genuine threat in the welterweight division. A barrage of blows, a powerful right hand, and a walk-off flurry that stunned fans and fighters. The hype isn’t coming; it is already here. And, with a berth in the top ten assured, Morales is now setting his crosshairs on big names, such as that of Ian Machado Garry.
Despite the attention, the 25-year-old did not get carried away in the aftermath. When the post-fight press conference came around, his statements were calm, even humble. He did, however, designate one specific target: ‘The Future.’ He said, “I talked about Ian Garry. That’s the fighter I’ve always wanted to fight,” Morales stated.
However, he is equally aware of the fact that Garry is way up in the rankings and closer than ever to a title shot. As a result, the Ecuadorian knows the chances of him getting the shot are slimmer than ever. He added, “But I know that he’s won in the last fight, so he’s looking up at the rankings right there, so that might not happen.”
However, this does not imply that Morales has plans to stand still. Instead, he made it clear that he is prepared to face anyone in the division’s upper tier — and he hopes for a speedy turnaround if the UFC returns to Guadalajara later this year. He said, “Taking advantage of opportunities and being grateful for opportunities, the fight may be the 6th, the 5th, the 4th in the ranking.”
Morales’ open-ended statement implicitly put Belal Muhammad, Sean Brady, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Leon Edwards, and even Kamaru Usman on alert. No one in the top six is safe, especially when a juggernaut like Morales is coming off a star-making performance and eager to fight again.
Michael Morales wants Ian Machado Garry after his #UFCVegas106 win but would settle for anyone in the top six. pic.twitter.com/oc88dNGwhr
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) May 18, 2025
Against Gilbert Burns, this was not just a victory; it was a message. Burns may not be the same man who headlined pay-per-views, but he remains a veteran with scary power and excellent grappling. Morales didn’t simply beat him; he broke him down. And, while Michael Morales isn’t in the business of chasing names, his motivation for Garry is clear: he simply hates him.
Michael Morales reveals the reason behind chasing Ian Garry
Michael Morales may not be into theatrics, but Ian Garry’s plans are anything but quiet. As cool and composed as he was in destroying Gilbert Burns, that same energy turns into rage when Garry’s name is mentioned. This is not just about rankings and matchups. It is personal. And it’s been brewing for years. Morales sees ‘The Future’ as more than just an obstacle; he sees it as a man who has crossed the line.
This rivalry began nearly two years ago, when Morales made it known that Garry was in his sights. “I really dislike that guy. There’s nothing I like about him,” he said back then, already hyped up at the idea of a future confrontation. The disdain did not develop suddenly. It started with subtle digs, interviews, and a general dislike for what Ian Garry represents to Morales. Garry’s confident — some could say cocky — demeanor never sat right with the Ecuadorian. And when ‘The Future’ publicly questioned Morales’ progress through the ranks, it was the spark that ignited the fuse.
“He said something like I’m coming up the rankings too fast and the fight against Max Griffin shouldn’t have happened,” Morales said. “But he’s been almost knocked out in every single one of his fights, so I don’t think he can give his opinion on that.” Morales believes it’s more than just a name on paper. It’s about shutting up someone who he believes is all talk.
The rankings and title implications can wait. If the UFC offers him the fight, he will not hesitate. Because this is not business. It is a grudge match. What do you think? Will the UFC book this fight? Let us know in the comments.
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