Tag: Michael Morales

Michael Morales aims for UFC welterweight championship in two years after finishing Neil Magny

Michael Morales wants to capture the UFC welterweight title by the time he’s 27, and after finishing Neil Magny, he’s on the right track.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag] has his sights set on UFC welterweight gold and has a timeline in mind for his goal.

On the main card of UFC on ESPN 62, Morales (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) passed the toughest test of his career thus far by stopping Neil Magny in the first round. As of late, Magny (29-12 MMA, 22-11 UFC) has been tasked with taking on young upstarts, but the undefeated Ecuadorian was too much to handle.

“I wanted to finish him in the first round,” Morales told reporters through an interpreter at a post-fight news conference. “It wasn’t the strategy, but I wanted to do it, obviously.”

After a pair of unanimous decision wins, questions were swirling about Morales’ ability to finish fights against tougher competition, considering he started his UFC career with two stoppage victories. However, after smashing Magny in the first round, a different set of questions will be asked.

Morales, 25, is young, undefeated, and appears to be a real problem for the top names in the division. So, where does he go from here?

“As far as names are concerned, I think there’s a couple of names out there,” Morales said. “I think (Vicente) Luque is somebody that would be an opportunity to fight. Michael Chiesa, I saw him around here, so that was something. Also, Ian Garry. We call him out, I don’t know where he is. So those are some opportunities to fight.”

Beyond having a few names at the tip of his tongue for his next challenge, Morales believes he will capture the division’s title in the coming years. For now, he’s focused on climbing the ladder, but aims to be the best in the world very soon.

“I’ve always said by 27, I want to be a champion,” Morales said. “You never know. Listen, at 25, Here I am. I never thought I was going to come in the UFC that early, and here I was at 21. Maybe top five, top 10 at the end of the year, and let’s see what happens.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

UFC on ESPN 62 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Program total passes $28 million

The UFC has now paid athletes more than $28 million in Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay after UFC on ESPN 62.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 62 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $166,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 62 took place at the UFC Apex. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 62 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Caio Borralho[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Tabatha Ricci[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Ryan Loder[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Robert Valentin[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Mairon Santos[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Kaan Ofli[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Francis Marshall[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Dennis Buzukja[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Zach Reese[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jose Medina[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Viacheslav Borshchev[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]James Llontop[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jacqueline Cavalcanti[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Josiane Nunes[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Victoria Leonardo[/autotag]: $4,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,620; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $32,000 while title challengers get $42,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-62 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $5,324,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $28,061,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

UFC on ESPN 62 bonuses: Gerald Meerschaert’s come-from-behind, record-breaking finish earns him $50K

To go with his name in the UFC record book, Gerald Meerschaert also fattened his wallet at UFC on ESPN 62.

The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday’s card, including one for a submission that made some history.

After UFC on ESPN 62, four fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out the winners below.

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Fight of the Night: Caio Borralho vs Jared Cannonier

[autotag]Caio Borralho[/autotag] and [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag] put on one of the most entertaining fights of the year in the night’s headliner. Borralho (17-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) had to dig deep and nearly finished Cannonier  (17-8 MMA, 10-8 UFC) in the fifth round but ultimately won a unanimous decision that should place him right in the middle of title contention at middleweight.

Performance of the Night: Michael Morales

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 24: Michael Morales of Ecuador battles Neil Magny in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

[autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag] (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) passed the biggest test of his career with flying colors as he scored a ground-and-pound TKO win over Neil Magny late in the first round to remain undefeated.

Performance of the Night: Gerald Meerschaert

Not only did [autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag] (37-17 MMA, 12-9 UFC) stage a Comeback of the Year candidate, he made history when rallied to submit Edmen Shahbazyan. With the result, Meerschaert passed former champion and Hall of Famer Anderson Silva for the most finishes (12) in UFC middleweight history.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

UFC on ESPN 62 video: Michael Morales pummels Neil Magny for merciful stoppage

Rising UFC star Michael Morales passed his toughest test to date with flying colors when he finished Neil Magny in Round 1.

[autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag] passed his biggest UFC test to date in under 5 minutes Saturday.

On the UFC on ESPN 62 main card, Morales (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) finished seasoned veteran [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] (29-12 MMA, 22-11 UFC) with ground-and-pound punches at 4:39 of the first round at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The finish came after Morales outmuscled Magny to the canvas and worked to a dominant position. He postured up and when Magny turned his back, Morales rained down ground-and-pound until referee Dan Miragliotta intervened.

Ecuador’s Morales, 25, remains unbeaten in his career. Other notable UFC wins prior to Saturday’s contest include Jake Matthews, Max Griffin, and Trevin Giles.

Magny, 37, continues his streak of alternating wins and losses – a pattern that has stretched eight fights, dating back to March 2022.

The up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 62 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC on ESPN 62

How will Michael Morales handle the veteran experience of Neil Magny on the UFC on ESPN 62 main card?

[autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 62 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 1-4
UFC main cards, 2024: 70-61-3

Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales UFC on ESPN 62 preview

Magny (29-11 MMA, 22-10 UFC) has undoubtedly seen a variety of styles in the UFC. As of late, he’s been tasked with testing young upstarts with big potential, which is the case again here. In his last fight, Magny stopped Mike Malott in the final round at UFC 297 to return to the win column. Magny has traded wins and losses over his past six. … Morales (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) hasn’t lost in his professional career. He enters his toughest test yet on the heels of a unanimous decision victory over Jake Matthews in November. This is the type of matchup that will set the tone for Morales’ immediate trajectory in the welterweight division.

Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales UFC on ESPN 62 expert pick, prediction

Serving as a solid attraction at welterweight is a battle between Magny and Morales.

Morales is a young, undefeated prospect, but he’s yet to face “the Magny test.”

Playing the spoiler for nearly a decade now, Magny – while not having the craziest highlight reel in the world – has figured out how to effectively win fights in the octagon as the UFC’s welterweight wins leader. That said, Magny has arguably looked less potent in recent years and the playbook on how to beat him remains the same: target his legs and body.

Morales has been a bit better about mixing in leg kicks since moving shop to Entram Gym, but he still doesn’t attack the lower levels vigorously enough for money to be confident enough in him to do it to Magny.

Add in the fact that Morales doesn’t seem to be a man who comes in with a game plan, and I suspect that he makes this fight much harder on himself than he needs to.

It’s dog or pass from a betting perspective, but I’ll semi-reluctantly pick Morales to edge a dicey decision with the more emphatic moments.

Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales UFC on ESPN 62 odds

The oddsmakers and the public are heavily favoring the Ecuadorian, listing Morales -850 and Magny +540 via FanDuel.

Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales UFC on ESPN 62 start time, how to watch

As the second fight on the main card, Magny and Morales are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 10:35 p.m. ET. The fight will air on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

Michael Morales eyes spot in welterweight rankings if victorious vs. Neil Magny at UFC on ESPN 62

Michael Morales believes he’s fighting for a spot in the UFC welterweight rankings at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 62.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag] is hoping to soon have a number next to his name.

The UFC welterweight prospect wants a spot in the UFC official rankings should he take care of business this Saturday at UFC on ESPN 62. Morales (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) fights Neil Magny on the main card of the event, which takes place at the UFC Apex. He sees this return as a perfect opportunity to make a statement and put himself among the division’s best.

“Magny is someone who has a long trajectory in the UFC,” Morales said in Spanish at the UFC on ESPN 62 media day. “I respect him a lot, and that’s why he’s been able to stay on top and in the rankings. I’ve studied him a lot, more on his losses than anything, but I still try to learn from my rivals. I want to take advantage of every weapon I have against him. I hope that, just like I will, I hope that he puts up a great fight and gives it his all.

“What I do want regardless is to get in the rankings. I want to keep climbing and keep leveling up my game. I feel like I’ve matured these past few months, and I’m not going to let this opportunity slip away. I’m going to try to knock him out.”

Magny (29-11 MMA, 22-10 UFC) is one of the most seasoned fighters on the UFC roster. Morales, who’s unbeaten in his MMA career, wants not only to beat Magny, but also show some new tools added to his game.

“I haven’t been able to show my jiu-jitsu and wrestling, more to defend, but I haven’t much offensively,” Morales said. “I think that I will change my style a bit. I think it will play out mainly on the feet, but I also want to take advantage of the fact that people take him down a lot, and he mainly just holds his opponents and doesn’t look to finish off his back.

“I’m going to use all my tools, but the battle will mainly be about cardio. So we’ll see what happens. I will show who’s the man in there.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

Michael Morales vs. Neil Magny verbally agreed for UFC’s Aug. 24 Fight Night

A welterweight bout pitting Michael Morales vs. Neil Magny has been verbally agreed to for a UFC Fight Night event Aug. 24.

UFC welterweight prospect [autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag] is stepping up in competition.

The unbeaten Ecuadorian is being targeted to take on crafty veteran [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] at a UFC Fight Night event Aug. 24 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Both parties have verbally agreed to the bout, MMA Junkie confirmed with multiple people with knowledge of the matchup. The people requested anonymity because the UFC has not yet made a formal announcement of the fight.

Morales (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has yet to taste defeat in his professional MMA career. The 25-year-old most recently fought in November 2023 and beat Jake Matthews with a unanimous decision. Morales had been out nursing an injury, now is training and healthy.

Magny, who recently had his 40th professional fight, continues to face the young blood of the division. Magny most recently fought in January and picked up a TKO win over prospect [autotag]Mike Malott[/autotag] – which stands as one of the best comebacks in 2024.

With the addition, the UFC’s Aug. 24 lineup now includes:

  • Bruno Ferreira vs. Roman Kopylov
  • Gerald Meerschaert vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
  • Dennis Buzukja vs. Danny Silva
  • Jose Medina vs. Zach Reese
  • Viacheslav Borschev vs. James Llontop
  • Jacqueline Cavalcanti vs. Josiane Nunes
  • Felipe dos Santos vs. Andre Lima
  • Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales

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Rising UFC contender Michael Morales wants to fight Ian Machado Garry: ‘I really dislike that guy’

Michael Morales wants to fight fellow undefeated welterweight Ian Machado Garry.

[autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag] is not one to ask the UFC for specific names or call out opponents. However, there is one person he’d really like to fight.

The rising UFC welterweight prospect is eager to face Ian Machado Garry, a fellow undefeated fighter, ideally in his next bout, but certainly at some point in his career. Morales (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) is not a fan of Garry, which is the main reason why he’d like to face him.

“Ian Garry, Ian Garry,” Morales told MMA Junkie in Spanish when asked who he’d like to fight next. “If I get the opportunity to fight him, I’ll welcome that. He’s someone I want to fight. If I get the opportunity to fight him, that would be great. I really dislike that guy. There’s nothing I like about him, but it’s not whatever I like or dislike, it’s whatever the UFC wants for me next.

“So if I get the chance to fight him, then thank you very much, but if it’s not him, I also welcome it. Whoever is next can get it.”

The 24-year-old says the reason he wants to fight Garry is that there are things he doesn’t like about him personally, plus that Garry has mentioned his name in the past as a potential fight.

“He said something like I’m coming up the rankings, but I’m coming up too fast and the fight against Max Griffin shouldn’t have happened or something like that,” Morales said. “I forget what site was the interview from, but said something along those lines. He’s saying I should be fighting more experienced fighters, but he’s been almost knocked out in every single one of his fights, so I don’t think he can give his opinion on that.”

Morales is undefeated in his fighting career and 4-0 since joining the UFC in 2021 after winning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. Most recently, the Ecuadorian fighter outpointed veteran Jake Matthews in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 232 earlier this month. He hopes to return at UFC 299 in March to fight alongside countryman Marlon Vera, who will be challenging Sean O’Malley for the bantamweight title.

Garry has six wins under the UFC banner with his most recent being a unanimous decision win over Neil Magny in August. He returns to the cage on Dec. 16 at UFC 296 against top contender Vicente Luque.

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Michael Morales calls for return at UFC 299 alongside ‘Chito’ Vera: ‘It would be two Ecuadorians representing’

Michael Morales wants a spot on UFC 299 alongside his Ecuadorian countryman ‘Chito’ Vera.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag] has his sight set on UFC 299.

The UFC welterweight prospect already has a date in mind for his return to the octagon following his unanimous decision win over veteran Jake Matthews in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 232.

Morales (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) wants to compete at UFC 299 in March because [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag], a fellow countryman from Ecuador, challenges UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley in the main event of the card.

“I would like to get the opportunity to make my return for ‘Chito’s fight against O’Malley,” Morales told reporters through an interpreter at the UFC Fight Night 232 post-fight press conference. “It’s a great event, and I’d like to share that with him. It would be two Ecuadorians representing Latin America. If the opportunity does happen, I will give it my all in whatever fight I get. I will be prepared.”

Morales didn’t call anyone out in his post-fight interview, but many imagine something big is on his way. He’s currently 4-0 in the UFC and has beaten notable names in the process such as Matthews (19-7 MMA, 12-7 UFC) and Max Griffin.

Morales feels his MMA game is coming together, and was very happy with the way he performed on Saturday.

“I felt relaxed, and I felt good the entire fight,” Morales said. “We analyzed the fight very well. Funny, everything my trainer told me, that’s what Jake Matthews did. The hooks, the kicks, everything. I was able to deal with it well. The strikes that he connected didn’t do much damage. It was a good fight that I made and a good strategy that we had in place.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 232.

UFC Fight Night 232 post-event facts: Brendan Allen on an all-time submission streak

Check out all the facts from UFC Fight Night 232, which saw Brendan Allen put him name in the books with Royce Gracie and Demian Maia.

The UFC closed its November schedule on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 232, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and saw 10 of 14 fights end in a stoppage.

One of those finishes belonged to main event winner [autotag]Brendan Allen[/autotag] (23-5 MMA, 11-2 UFC), who submitted [autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] (17-7-1 MMA, 9-7-1 UFC) with a rear-naked choke in the third round of their middleweight clash, extending his winning streak to six and putting him in the discussion among the more serious contenders in the weight class.

For more on the numbers behind Allen’s performance, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC Fight Night 232.