Michael Morales (fighter)

Michael Jonathan Morales Hurtado (born June 24, 1999) is an Ecuadorian professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background
Michael Morales was born in 1999 in Pasaje, El Oro, Ecuador. He is the son of judokas, a discipline he has been practicing since he was five years old, where his mother was his first coach. At the age of 10, he switched from judo to wrestling, where he won several youth tournaments. At the age of 14, his father took him to Víctor Vallejo's academy in Machala, where he began to practice mixed martial arts.

Early career
While fully focusing on MMA, he juggled a job at a naval boat factory.

In 2021, he began his journey through Mexico, arriving in Tijuana to train at Entram Gym. On March 29, 2021, he signed a contract with Ultimate Warrior Challenge (UWC).

Dana White's Contender Series
On September 21, 2021, Morales faced Nikolay Veretennikov for a UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series: Season 5, Week 4. Morales earned the contract by defeating Veretennikov via unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Morales made his UFC debut against Trevin Giles on January 22, 2022, at UFC 270. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Morales was scheduled to face Ramiz Brahimaj at UFC 277 on July 30, 2022. However, Brahimaj was forced to withdraw from the event in mid-July due to an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Adam Fugitt. Morales won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Morales was scheduled to face Rinat Fakhretdinov on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland. However, Morales withdrew due to a toe fracture.

Morales faced Max Griffin on July 1, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 48. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Morales faced Jake Matthews on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Morales is scheduled to face Neil Magny on August 24, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 243.