Michael Morales cemented his place as a welterweight force with a stunning first-round TKO over Gilbert Burns at UFC Vegas 106 on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The 25-year-old Ecuadorian, now 18-0, dismantled the former title challenger in under four minutes, displaying lethal striking.
The bout, streamed on ESPN+, marked Morales’ sixth UFC victory and earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. Post-fight, he honored his mother, whose advice fueled his aggression, and declared readiness for any opponent.
His swift finish sent shockwaves through the welterweight division, positioning him for a top-10 clash. Morales’ performance underscored his potential to challenge the division’s best.
Wasted no time in this one 😮💨
Michael Morales gets the first round finish at #UFCVegas106! pic.twitter.com/UNNyGw9Wnw
— UFC (@ufc) May 18, 2025
Morales’ Ascent in the Welterweight Ranks
Morales unleashed a torrent of punches from the opening bell, overwhelming Burns with speed and power. His relentless attack set the tone early.
A crushing right hand dropped Burns midway through the round. The Brazilian, desperate, secured a brief takedown, clinging to Morales’ leg.
Morales escaped with ease, resuming his onslaught. His confidence against Burns’ vaunted grappling showcased his versatility.
Burns, unable to recover, wilted under a final barrage of strikes. Referee Herb Dean halted the fight at 3:39, awarding Morales the TKO.
“This was tough work, hard work, always,” Morales said afterward. “I’ll tell you what every fight to me is tough and I always feel nervous.”
He admitted to pre-fight anxiety, stating:
“I was actually very, very nervous back there in the locker rooms before [the fight].” His team’s encouragement proved vital.
“They told me trust yourself, trust what you can do, trust your potential,” Morales recalled. “We put in the work and we made it happen.”
His mother’s words drove his performance, as he shared:
“My mom told me this, my grandma told me this, my mom is right here and she said ‘put that heavy hand and the rest will be history.’”
Morales dedicated the win to his mother, present ringside, adding:
“This is to my mom. She’s here.” The heartfelt moment captivated the audience.
Morales began his MMA journey in 2017, going 12-0 in regional promotions before earning a UFC contract via Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021. He debuted with a TKO over Trevin Giles.
His UFC record includes knockouts over Giles, Adam Fugitt, and Neil Magny, plus decisions against Max Griffin and Jake Matthews. His 18-0 record features 12 knockouts.
Burns, a former welterweight title challenger, entered on a three-fight losing streak. His 22-9 record boasts victories over Tyron Woodley, Stephen Thompson, and Demian Maia.
The 38-year-old Brazilian, ranked No. 8, recently fell to Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena, and Sean Brady. Morales tested his renowned durability.
The UFC Vegas 106 card, hosted at the intimate Apex, featured notable bouts. Mairon Santos outpointed Sodiq Yusuff, and Nursulton Ruziboev bested Dustin Stoltzfus.
Morales addressed the division’s pursuit of his perfect record, saying:
“I knew the whole welterweight division was going to come out for me.”
He embraced the challenge, stating:
“They were going to come at me like sharks. Everybody trying to take my head off but I’ll tell you what, I’m always ready.”
Morales affirmed his preparedness, adding:
“Ready to go, whoever they want me to fight, as long as I’m healthy and ready to go, I’ll be ready for them.”
The victory sets Morales up for a marquee matchup, with fans on social media buzzing about potential fights against Shavkat Rakhmonov or Ian Machado Garry.
