Dana White Leaves the Door Open for Rakhmonov vs. Morales
“If it was done, we would announce it.”
The UFC CEO declined to confirm a welterweight bout between unbeaten contenders Shavkat Rakhmonov and Michael Morales: "If it was done, we would announce it."
UFC CEO Dana White has addressed the speculation surrounding a potential welterweight bout between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Michael Morales — and he is not ruling it out.
Asked directly about the matchup in a recent interview, White declined to confirm it.
"Could be, could be... If it was done, we would announce it."
The comments keep one of the welterweight division's most discussed fights on the table without committing the promotion to anything.
Both men hold 19-0 professional records, and both have made their case for a significant next fight. A bout between two unbeaten contenders would carry divisional consequences regardless of when it happens. It is the kind of fight the division has been circling: a head-to-head that clarifies the order at the top of the welterweight rankings.
Morales has been the more active of the two, and his recent run has been decisive. He last fought in November 2025, knocking out Sean Brady in the first round. The win extended his UFC winning streak to seven fights and moved him to No. 3 in the welterweight rankings.
He has finished his last three opponents inside the opening round: Neil Magny, Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady.
Rakhmonov's situation is less settled. He has not competed since defeating Ian Garry in December 2024, with recurring knee injuries keeping him sidelined for nearly two years. Any announcement involving Rakhmonov would first require clarity on his health and readiness to return.
The divisional context gives the matchup a clear function. Carlos Prates is considered the No. 1 contender and the front-runner to challenge welterweight champion Islam Makhachev next. If that title fight is made, the division would need a defined next man up — and a Rakhmonov vs. Morales bout would settle the next challenger.
White also used the interview to tease a busy period ahead for the promotion, with major announcements expected at the end of 2026 and into early 2027.
"We got a lot of good announcements coming up... we're going to have a good January. February too."
Whether the Rakhmonov-Morales bout is among those announcements remains unconfirmed. The pieces are in place: two unbeaten contenders, a title picture taking shape, and a division in need of its next ordering event. For now, fans have White's words to work with: no confirmation, no denial, and the promise of a busy January. Until the promotion announces it, the fight is not done.
