Exclusive Q&A: Michael Morales ready to finish Gilbert Burns

Michael Morales will face veteran Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC Fight Night on 17 May. It will be a real test for the 25-year-old Ecuadorian, who is unbeaten (17-0) against the Brazilian (22-8).

DAZN News spoke to Morales ahead of the fight. 

DAZN News: You’re going to face Gilbert Burns, a true legend in the division. What do you think of him?

Michael Morales: I’ve studied him a lot, I have a lot of respect for him, precisely because of that, because he has a history in the UFC, he’s a super experienced fighter and he’s also earned the chance to fight for the title, even. So, he’s a fighter I respect a lot and I hope this fight against him will be really incredible for the people who get to watch us.

DN: Is it a source of pride for you, being only 25 years old, to fight a man like him?

MM: Yeah, I mean, I never imagined I’d have to fight him at some point, but we knew he’d be on the path. So, it’s something we had been expecting and I think it’s going to be a really good opportunity to show all the evolution I’ve been going through, even though I’ve had so little time in the UFC.

DN: Do you have a prediction?

MM: Possibly, I’m going to knock him out in the second round and if not, I’m going to try to do it in the first, but it’ll probably be between the first and second round.

DN: If you win, who would you like to face next?

MM: Possibly Ian Garry or if not, I might ask for [Colby] Covington. That would be a really good fight for me too.

DN: Why would you like Ian Garry or Colby Covington?

MM: I have a bit of a grudge against Ian Garry. I don’t like the fighter, he doesn’t sit well with me. And he’s also ranked higher, so it could be a really good opportunity, since he’s coming off a loss and I’m rising. So, if I get to that fight, I’d like to face him too. And with Covington, he’s also a really big name. Back in the day, he was one of the most talked-about, and I’d really like to face him.

DN: You’re still only 25 years old, is the belt on your mind?

MM: Yeah, I think if it doesn’t happen this year, it’ll be next year. I’ve only got three more fights left, or two more fights, and I could already be fighting for the title.

DN: Do you think you already have the level to be champion?

MM: There are still a lot of things I need to experience that the champions already have, but I think that if I get the chance to fight for the title, I’m going to take it without thinking twice and I’ll take advantage of any moment they give me.

DN: In your division, in the top 15, there are only two undefeated fighters, you and Shavkat Rakhmonov. How does that feel?

MM: I’m not afraid, I feel really good, I feel happy. I know everyone wants to take my head off, but I think that’s something that motivates me to keep training, to keep improving. So, I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but I don’t think I’m going to lose my undefeated record just yet. So, it’s something people really like, they’re drawn to it, an undefeated fighter in the rankings. It’s rarely seen, but I think that motivates me even more to keep training and improving.

DN: The main event of UFC 315 is Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Maddalena. Who’s going to win?

MM: Maybe Belal. I think Belal can win this fight. I’ve trained with him, we’ve done camps together, so I think he has all the tools to win his fight.

DN: You’re name is Michael Morales, like Spiderman. Are you proud of that?

MM: Yeah, the kids, the children, really liked the idea of mixing my first and last name with Miles Morales, Spiderman. So, I really liked the idea, I took it as a reference and I’m using it in the fights. In this fight I’m going to use it again. So, people like it, and I think that’s where the connection comes from, and who knows, maybe in the future I could do some kind of collaboration or something, but I really like it.