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Islam Makhachev does not believe Michael Morales should receiving a title opportunity before facing another top contender.

While Makhachev is preparing for his first welterweight title defense against Ian Machado Garry, there is a scenario where the reigning 170-pound champion could instead be facing Morales on Aug. 15. Morales is the backup fighter for the main event championship clash in Philadelphia. He would be called upon to step in if either the challenger or champion are pulled at the last minute, but that depends on whether or not Morales can make weight.

MMAJunkie spoke to Makhachev, who said that despite Morales’ backup status, he feels the rising Ecuadorian star hasn’t earned a proper title opportunity.

“He has to fight, bro,” Makhachev said. “When he fought last time? And he’s waiting for the title fight or what? Too much contenders. I think he has to fight against (Carlos) Prates or maybe Shavkat (Rakhmonov). I don’t know when he (Rakhmonov) comes back. Too much contenders, we have to know who is the No. 1 contender.”

Morales’ last bout took place on the same card that saw Makhachev capture the UFC welterweight gold from Jack Della Maddalena. On the UFC 322 main card, Morales stopped top contender Sean Brady via first-round TKO. Morales had been pounding the table for a title shot, but Garry was ultimately offered the fight.

Up to this point, Morales has amassed an impressive 19-0 record with 14 knockouts on his resume. He’s beaten the likes of Brady, Gilbert Burns, and Neil Magny. The general consensus is that his win over Brady has been the biggest of his pro MMA career thus far.

Morales has admitted that his weight cut isn’t easy because he reached up to 233 pounds this year and still had 15 pounds to cut. Still, Morales is confident that he will tip the scales at 170 pounds the morning prior to fight night.

Do you think Michael Morales should fight another top contender if the UFC 330 main event goes on as planned, or should he face the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM