Dominick Cruz: Michael Morales Could Pose Unique Challenge to Islam Makhachev at Welterweight

Dominick Cruz has seen enough of Michael Morales in the gym and under the lights to believe the undefeated Ecuadorian might be the most intriguing test yet for new UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Makhachev (28-1, 17-1 UFC) dominated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, smothering the Australian for more than 19 minutes of control time in a lopsided decision win to claim his second divisional title. On that same night, Morales (19-0, 7-0 UFC) announced himself as a true problem at 170 pounds with a first-round TKO over top contender Sean Brady.

For Cruz, the size, strength and explosive athleticism Morales brings to the table make him a very different kind of puzzle for Makhachev.

“You could give Morales a title shot,” Cruz told MMA Junkie. “I’ve seen that guy in the gym, and there’s things about him that don’t make sense. The way that he moves, I’m telling you. He’s a freak gymnast. He can do the craziest things. He can really challenge the strength of Makhachev differently than anybody.”

Power vs. Technique

Cruz acknowledged that Morales’ game isn’t built on pristine technique as much as it is on overwhelming physical tools – but that’s exactly what intrigues him stylistically against Makhachev.

“The technique is what has not been tested with Morales,” Cruz said. “Now Morales is so athletic and so strong that he’s able to beat people’s technique with power and strength and explosiveness. Whereas Makhachev is going to have to really work through step-by-step to untie the knot Makhachev puts him in.”

Southpaw vs. orthodox dynamics would also layer in another wrinkle. “Plus, Makhachev being a southpaw changes the style for Morales, as well,” Cruz added.

Morales’ win over Brady continued a blistering start to his UFC career, which already includes victories over the likes of Neil Magny and Gilbert Burns. Against Brady, he looked noticeably larger and stronger, stuffing any chance for the grappler to implement his wrestling before finishing him on the feet.

A Crowded, Dangerous Welterweight Queue

Morales isn’t alone in the title conversation. The welterweight division is suddenly stacked with dangerous contenders riding big wins:

• Carlos Prates scored a brutal knockout of former champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322.

• Ian Machado Garry just earned the biggest win of his career, outpointing former champ Belal Muhammad at UFC Fight Night 265.

• Shavkat Rakhmonov, still undefeated, looms as a looming threat as he returns from injury.

Cruz, though, keeps coming back to Morales as the wild card.

“I would love to see any of those fights,” Cruz said. “I’ve been loving watching Morales fight. To me, he’s just been really fun to watch because he has such an unconventional style. He’s just a brute.”

Inriging

Cruz compared Morales’ explosive entries and freakish athleticism to another former title contender.

“He covers distance so much, he kind of reminds me how Yoel Romero used to cover so much distance with power and explosiveness,” Cruz said. “He kind of has that athleticism and feel to me, but without the wrestling background obviously. He’s got very strong hips. He’s hard to take down.”

That, in Cruz’s mind, is what makes a matchup with Makhachev so fascinating: a champion whose game is built on chain wrestling, top control and suffocating positional dominance, against a young, powerful athlete who might be strong and explosive enough to break those positions and force chaos.

“It would be very interesting to see how he does against Makhachev,” Cruz concluded. “But against any of those guys in the top five would be awesome to watch.”

Whether the UFC moves Morales straight into a title shot or matches him with another top-five contender first, Cruz’s endorsement adds fuel to a growing narrative: Islam Makhachev rules welterweight for now—but there’s a new generation of big, dangerous contenders lining up to test just how long that reign can last.