{
  "id": 12075905,
  "title": "Michael Morales Calls Out Shavkat Rakhmonov",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/michael-morales-calls-out-shavkat-rakhmonov",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T04:33:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/michael-morales-calls-shavkat-rakhmonov-043304587.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "UFC welterweight contender Michael Morales is eager to face Shavkat Rakhmonov for his next fight, according to recent social media posts. Morales, who had not fought since his TKO victory over Sean Brady in November, would prefer to challenge UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev next, but Makhachev is currently set to face Carlos Prates. Consequently, Morales has called out Rakhmonov, the former No. 1 contender, who has been sidelined by injuries for the past two years. In a video posted on social media, Morales challenged Rakhmonov, stating that he has been asking for the fight and that both fighters deserve the belt. If the UFC schedules Makhachev vs. Prates next, Morales believes a fight between himself and Rakhmonov would make sense, serving as a mini-tournament in the welterweight division to determine the next title contender.",
  "summary": "UFC welterweight contender Michael Morales is interested in fighting Shavkat Rakhmonov for his next fight inside the Octagon.Morales has not fought since his TKO win over Sean Brady last November at UFC 322. He would like to fight UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev next, but it appears that Makhachev is fighting Carlos Prates instead.Therefore, Morales […] The post Michael Morales Calls…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Michael Morales Calls Out UFC Welterweight Division, Teases Shavkat Rakhmonov Fight in 2027",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/michael-morales-calls-out-ufc-welterweight-division-teases-shavkat",
        "published": "2026-10-05T05:49:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}