Carlos Prates wants Michael Morales fight if one more bout needed for title shot

Carlos Prates has publicly called out undefeated welterweight contender Michael Morales, stating that Morales would be his preferred opponent if one more fight stands between him and a title shot at 170 pounds.

Prates, known as "The Nightmare," carries a 24-7 record and is currently ranked fifth in the welterweight division. The 32-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Vale Top Team, stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and fights out of a switch stance. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 55 percent, making him one of the more precise volume strikers in the division.

Morales enters the conversation as one of the most compelling unbeaten prospects in the sport. The 27-year-old Ecuadorian holds a perfect 19-0 record and sits at number two in the welterweight rankings, just ahead of where Prates currently stands. Fighting out of Entram Gym, Morales is an orthodox striker who generates a striking volume of 5.62 significant strikes per minute, complemented by 1.09 takedowns per 15 minutes and a 79-inch reach on a six-foot frame.

Prates framed the matchup in straightforward terms, pointing to their divisional positions as the logic behind the callout — he is ranked fifth while Morales occupies the second spot, and a win would dramatically strengthen his case for a championship opportunity.

Why it matters

• A Prates victory over the number-two ranked Morales would push him directly into title contention at welterweight
• Morales brings perfect record pressure; staying unbeaten keeps his own title case intact
• Contrasting styles — Prates's accuracy-driven switch striking against Morales's high-volume orthodox attack with added takedown threat — sets up a technically rich matchup
• The bout would effectively serve as an eliminator for whoever holds welterweight gold