Photo Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect | Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Kshitiz Kumar Singh Kshitiz Kumar Singh Mon, October 26, 2026 at 6:39 AM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UFC welterweight title picture has taken a surprising turn, with Carlos Prates now scheduled to face Michael Morales for the interim championship at UFC 336. The pair will headline the co-main event when the promotion returns to Toronto on January 30.
Prates was previously linked to a title showdown with Islam Makhachev , but those plans have now fallen apart. The Dagestani champion reportedly declined a January date, with Ramadan, which begins on February 8, 2027, potentially playing a role in the decision.
Now, Makhachev has finally broken his silence on why he didn't agree to face the Brazilian in January, offering an explanation for the change in plans.
While many fans suspected Makhachev was reluctant to fight so close to Ramadan, the welterweight champion has now offered a different explanation for turning down the January 30 date.
Makhachev recently explained that he wants Prates to prove himself before earning a shot at the 170-pound title. Despite being offered the opportunity to make his next title defense against the Brazilian, the Dagestani doesn't believe Prates has done enough to deserve the matchup just yet.
In a recent interview with pound4padel.ru in Russian, Makhachev explained his plans for the division, saying, "Yes, Prates and Morales will fight to determine who is a true worthy contender, and I'll fight the winner."
The champion also pointed to Prates' only UFC loss, which came against Ian Garry in Kansas last year. Makhachev recently defeated Garry at UFC 330 to register his first welterweight title defense, and he believes that makes a direct matchup with Prates less appealing. In his view, if he beats someone who has already lost to Garry, Michael Morales would be next in line without having to fight for that spot.
He added, "They offered me a fight with Prates, who recently lost to (Ian Machado Garry), someone I beat. If I beat him, Morales would already be next in line, who's not fighting and waiting for (a title shot). Just let them fight, and we will figure out who's the real challenger."
However, there's a big downside to Makhachev's plan. With Prates and Morales now booked to fight for the interim title, fans could be waiting months to see the undisputed champion return to action. Ramadan runs from February 7 to March 8 in 2027, and with the interim title bout on the calendar, Makhachev might not compete again until the summer.
His decision has already drawn criticism from Prates, who accused the champion of delaying his title opportunity. Dana White has also expressed frustration , suggesting that Makhachev is holding up the welterweight division.
With the interim title fight now set, the big question is when Makhachev will finally return to the Octagon and face the winner.
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Source: Sports
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