Michael Morales

Michael Jonathan Morales Hurtado (born June 24, 1999) is an Ecuadorian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of February 3, 2026, he is #3 in the Meta UFC welterweight rankings.

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, with his mother as his first coach. His mother, international judo referee Katty Hurtado, is a third dan judo black belt who retired from competition when she was 42. 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. After doing MMA as an amateur, he made his professional MMA debut at age 16. On March 29, 2021, he signed a contract with Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico (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 faced Neil Magny on August 24, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 62. He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round. This fight earned him a Performance of the Night award.

Morales was scheduled to face former UFC Welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns on April 12, 2025, at UFC 314. However, the bout was moved to May 10, 2025 at UFC 315 for unknown reasons. In turn, the bout against Burns was moved to serve as the main event on May 17, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 256. Morales won the fight by technical knockout in the first round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Morales faced Sean Brady on November 15, 2025 at UFC 322. He won via technical knockout in the first round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Three times) UFC.com Awards 2022: Ranked #8 Newcomer of the Year Oro Fighting Championship OFC Welterweight Champion (One time) Extreme MMA Extreme MMA Welterweight Champion (One time) Sportsnaut 2025 UFC Fighter of the Year MMA Fighting 2025 First Team MMA All-Star Uncrowned 2025 #5 Ranked Male Fighter of the Year 2025 #2 Ranked Breakthrough Fighter of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Win

Sean Brady TKO (punches) UFC 322

New York City, New York, United States Win

Gilbert Burns TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Neil Magny TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Borralho

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jake Matthews Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Max Griffin Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Strickland vs. Magomedov

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Adam Fugitt TKO (punches) UFC 277

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Trevin Giles TKO (punches) UFC 270

Anaheim, California, United States Win

Nikolay Veretennikov Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 40

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Miguel Arizmendi TKO (punches) UWC Mexico 26

Tijuana, Mexico Win

Ricardo Centeno KO (punches) Extreme MMA 17

Quito, Ecuador Win

Daniel Luigy Bastidas TKO (doctor stoppage) Extreme MMA 16

Guayaquil, Ecuador Win

Mario Navarrete TKO (punches) Barbarians 5

Machala, Ecuador Win

Gregoris Cisneros Submission (triangle choke) Barbarians 4

Cuenca, Ecuador Win

Erick Zambrano TKO (punches) Pasaje Combat 1

Pasaje, Ecuador Win

Mathias Salazar TKO (punches) Manaba Top Team 2

El Guabo, Ecuador Win

Óscar Ravello TKO (corner stoppage) Fusion FC 39

Lima, Peru Win

Leonardo Blasco Decision (unanimous) Troncal FC 2

La Troncal, Ecuador Win

Álvaro Vacacela Guerrero TKO (doctor stoppage) Oro FC 5

Santa Rosa, Ecuador Win

Álvaro Vacacela Guerrero TKO (punches) Oro FC 4

Pasaje, Ecuador