Carlos Prates or Michael Morales? Ex-UFC champ forecasts Islam Makhachev's next fight

MIAMI – Belal Muhammad weighed in on UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev's next title defense.

Makhachev (29-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC) retained defended the 170-pound belt for the first time when he defeated Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in August. He plans on competing again before Ramadan, which starts early February.

Carlos Prates (24-7 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and Michael Morales (19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) are the two frontrunners for Makhachev's next fight, but who will get the title shot?

"At this point, I think Islam is calling out Prates, I think he's earned his spot where he can call out somebody," Muhammad told MMA Junkie. "The fans love Prates. Morales is killing it, too, but it's one of those things where both guys deserve it, now Islam is going to choose. Who wants to go? And he's willing to fight all these guys. I think at the end of the day, it'll probably be Prates because it seems like he's saying his name a lot more."

Muhammad, a former welterweight champion in his own right, was asked who he sees as the bigger threat to Makhachev's reign: Prates or Morales?

"They both just bring something different to the table," Muhammad said. "Prates is a precision striker with that one-punch power. I think Morales is just a powerhouse, and he has that one-punch power, too. So, both really good tests."

Muhammad (24-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) doesn't have a fight booked, but is hoping to return by the end of the year. In the meantime, the former UFC welterweight champion will settle his beef with cruiserweight crossover champion Colby Covington on the mats in Friday's RAF 13 main event in Miami, Fla.