Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

One of Michael Morales’ former foes believes the talented welterweight presents the biggest test in the division for Islam Makhachev.

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev put on another dominant performance against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 earlier this month. Makhachev defeated Garry by unanimous decision to retain the welterweight title and hold his place as the UFC’s pound-for-pound best.

After UFC 330, several welterweight contenders make intriguing cases for the next fight against Makhachev. Carlos Prates and Michael Morales are considered the top two contenders in the welterweight division after recent knockout wins.

Prates, who defeated former titleholder Jack Della Maddalena earlier this year, says the UFC told him he’s next up against Makhachev. But Morales also makes an intriguing case after wins over Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, and Neil Magny.

According to Morales’ most recent rival, the undefeated welterweight presents a stiffer test to Makhachev than Prates.

Sean Brady: Michael Morales bigger threat to Islam Makhachev than Carlos Prates

In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Morales’ former rival Sean Brady was asked about how he matches up with the reigning welterweight champ.

“I think Prates can knock anybody out, for sure. Out of Prates and Morales, everyone’s gonna say I’m biased because I lost to Morales, but I think Morales will give Islam a harder time,” Brady said of Morales.

“I was asking for the Carlos Prates fight, so I’ve gone back and done the tape study on him, where I’ve seen guys in ONE FC take him down and beat him on the ground. I think Islam will be able to do the same thing, whereas with Morales, we still don’t know how good he is.

“We still don’t know how good his ground game is,” Brady continued on Morales. “We don’t know how good his cardio is. We don’t know all these things, and I think that’s gonna play a lot more of a factor.”

Who is the biggest threat to Islam Makhachev’s title reign? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM