Everything about Michael Morales vs. Carlos Prates
The unbeaten Ecuadorian (19-0) and the Brazilian who knocks out former champions fight for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336. What's official, what's rumored and who has the edge.
By Equipo La Jaula Props · · Updated: · 3 min read
Photos: Presidencia de la República del Ecuador, Public domain · Sexto Round, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
The welterweight superfight fans wanted now has a date. During the UFC 333 broadcast, Dana White confirmed that Michael Morales and Carlos Prates will fight for the division's interim title on January 30, 2027 at UFC 336, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.
What's official
- Event: UFC 336, January 30, 2027, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto.
- What's at stake: the interim welterweight (170-pound) belt, over five rounds.
- Spot on the card: co-main event. The main event is Joshua Van's flyweight title defense against Manel Kape.
- Why interim: champion Islam Makhachev wasn't available for that window. According to Dana White, he prefers to wait until after Ramadan, pushing his return to at least May.
Michael Morales: Ecuador's pride
Born in Pasaje, Ecuador, Morales is 27, undefeated at 19-0 (7-0 in the UFC) and ranked No. 3. His numbers are scary: 14 wins by KO/TKO and 10 first-round finishes, according to his official profile. He comes off three straight first-round knockouts over Neil Magny, Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady.
If he wins, he would become the first Ecuadorian to capture a UFC belt, even an interim one. Marlon 'Chito' Vera tried at bantamweight in 2024, without success.
Carlos Prates: 'The Nightmare'
The 33-year-old Brazilian, ranked No. 2, is 24-7 overall and 7-1 in the UFC, with all of his UFC wins by knockout. He debuted in 2024 and has since become a nightmare for big names: he knocked out Geoff Neal, Leon Edwards and, in May 2026, Jack Della Maddalena. He has 19 career wins by KO/TKO.
Tale of the tape
- Age: Morales 27 · Prates 33.
- Height: Morales 72 inches (183 cm) · Prates 73 (185 cm).
- Reach: Morales 79 inches (201 cm) · Prates 78 (198 cm).
- Wins by KO/TKO: Morales 14 · Prates 19.
- Fun fact: both won by knockout on the same November 2025 night, Morales over Brady and Prates over Edwards.
The fall of the unbeaten
The fight comes at the worst time for perfect records. UFC 333 saw three unbeaten fighters fall in a single night: Movsar Evloev (20-0) was knocked out by Alexander Volkanovski, Nurullo Aliev (12-0) lost to Grant Dawson and Asaf Chopurov (11-0) fell by split decision to Colby Thicknesse. Only Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev kept his zero.
The question is unavoidable: will Morales be next? He faces the fighter who has been best at taking down unbeaten fighters and former champions lately. And before that, on November 14 at UFC 334, Josh Hokit (10-0) also puts his unbeaten record on the line for the heavyweight title.
Speculation and what's next
- The winner becomes the natural challenger for Makhachev's title, whose return is expected after Ramadan.
- According to some outlets, Makhachev had a fight with Prates on the table that never came together; this interim bout decides who earns that right.
- Many expect a stand-up fight from start to finish: neither needs wrestling to win.
Technical prediction
With the fight just announced, there's no consensus yet. Prates has experience against elite opposition and power that has already switched off two former champions. Morales has youth, a slightly longer reach and a perfect record full of early knockouts. The key may be the opening minutes: both have won most of their fights before the end of round one, so the first one to land clean could decide it all.
Who are you picking? As soon as the UFC publishes the full UFC 336 card, we'll open the vote.
Frequently asked questions
When does Michael Morales fight next?
Michael Morales's next fight is on Saturday, January 30, 2027 at UFC 336, against Carlos Prates, for the interim welterweight title.
Where is Michael Morales vs. Carlos Prates?
At Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, home of UFC 336.
What time is Morales vs. Prates?
The UFC hasn't released official start times for UFC 336 yet. We'll add them here, with the time in each country, as soon as they're confirmed.
What's at stake in Morales vs. Prates?
The UFC interim welterweight belt, over five rounds. The winner becomes the natural challenger to champion Islam Makhachev.
Why is it for the interim title?
Because champion Islam Makhachev wasn't available in January. According to Dana White, he prefers to wait until after Ramadan, pushing his return to at least May.
What is Michael Morales's record?
19 wins and 0 losses (7-0 in the UFC), with 14 wins by KO/TKO. He is ranked No. 3 at welterweight.
Where is Michael Morales from?
He is Ecuadorian, born in Pasaje (El Oro province), and he is 27 years old.
What is Carlos Prates's record?
24 wins and 7 losses (7-1 in the UFC, with all his UFC wins by knockout). He is Brazilian, 33, and ranked No. 2.
Can Michael Morales become Ecuador's first UFC champion?
Yes. If he beats Prates, he would become the first Ecuadorian to win a UFC belt, even an interim one.
Who wins, Morales or Prates? What's the prediction?
There's no consensus yet. Prates has more experience against elite opposition (he knocked out Leon Edwards and Jack Della Maddalena); Morales is younger, unbeaten and usually wins in round one. Read our full technical analysis above and vote once we open UFC 336 voting.
