Michael Morales recently celebrated New Year's Eve. During the celebration, the mixed martial artist dressed up like a woman and danced on top of the vehicle he was riding. This celebration and dressing up like a woman has now generated reactions from netizens, with many taking to social media to express their feelings on the matter."That’s our champ right there."𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖏𝖆 @NinjaNoticingLINK@ChampRDS That’s our champ right thereSome netizens commented on the martial artist dressing up like a woman and hoped to see him in a match against Islam Makhachev. Others pointed out that dressing up is actually an Ecuadorian tradition:"Michael Morales out here mourning the death of 2025 like a true Ecuadorian legend! Black dress, killer moves, and blocking traffic for "funeral funds" (aka beer money)." one netizen responded."Dressing up as a women is the best base for being good at combat sports." another netizen stated."Now we need to see him vs. Islam Makhachev. Two very different personalities." one commenter opined."It’s a tradition celebrated every New Year’s Eve, when widows parade through the streets of their neighborhoods with a paper or cardboard effigy, weeping before it’s burned at midnight to welcome the new year. The money raised is then spent drinking with friends. Ecuadorian (flag symbol) tradition." another commenter said."This is a tradition here in Ecuador . Is called “viudas” basically is like when a widow is crying her death spouse , mens dress as females and they are crying the year that is gone." one reactor explained.Michael Morales participated in the tradition of the Old Widows to keep a promise he had made earlier last year.More on Michael Morales' participation in Ecuadorian traditionAs pointed out above, Michael Morales was taking part in a tradition from his home country of Ecuador. The tradition is called the locas viudas or the Old Year Widows. The end-of-the-year tradition originated in the nineteenth century, with earlier instances featuring a sawdust puppet leading the walk. The tradition originally involved widows, before slowly transitioning to include men.The tradition was banned in the days of the dictatorial regimen of General Guillermo Rodríguez Lara from 1972 to 1976, one of the many repressive measures enacted by the dictator. It made a resurgence after the dictator was forced out of power by the military of country.Ecuador Comunicación 🛜 Siempre Más Noticias @ecuadorprensaecLINKEl ecuatoriano, #MichaelMorales desató la locura al disfrazarse de viuda, tal cual lo había prometido. En medio de una gran cantidad de sus simpatizantes, repartió autógrafos y mostró una faceta a la que muy poco se atreven a lucir!!! #UFC @UFCEspanolMichael Jonathan Morales Hurtado was born in Pasaje, El Oro, in 1999. His mother is Katty Hurtado, an international Judo referee. He started practicing Judo at the age of five. Morales started his career in MMA after switching from judo to wrestling when he was ten years old. At 16, he made his professional debut after years of being an amateur.Michael Morales subsequently signed a contract with Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico in 2021 and has since then also fought in UFC tournaments, starting with Dana White’s Contender Series. Morales most recently won his fight against Sean Brady at UFC 322, earning another Performance of the Night award.Michael Morales has dedicated his recent wins to his country, and he has also met with Ecuadorian President Daniel Novoa. Morales is a welterweight fighter and is an extreme welterweight MMA champion. He was also declared the UFC Fighter of the Year by Sportsnaut in December 2025.