Michael Morales posts photo suggesting potential title eliminator matchup

Michael Morales has posted a photograph on social media that appears to tease a potential fight between himself and Carlos Prates to determine the next lightweight title challenger. With Islam Makhachev potentially facing Ian Garry at UFC 330 in August, the champion would not be ready for another defense until November at the earliest. The post raises questions about whether a matchup between Prates and Morales should be organized to produce a clear number-one contender. The timing suggests that if UFC moves forward with Makhachev versus Garry, a fight between these two rising contenders could make sense to establish the next title challenger.