Michael Morales questions if Prates fight needed before title shot

Michael Morales posted a photo on social media suggesting a potential matchup scenario at welterweight. He questioned whether he and Carlos Prates need to fight to determine who faces the champion, or if the hierarchy is already clear. With Islam Makhachev potentially facing Ian Garry at UFC 330 in August, the champion wouldn't be ready for another defense until November at the earliest. Morales is positioning himself as a top contender while the division sorts out its title picture. The post prompted fan polling on who would win a hypothetical Prates vs Morales bout.