The UFC has booked an interim welterweight title fight between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales in January because undisputed champion Islam Makhachev declined to fight within that timeline without providing a reason, UFC CEO Dana White said Saturday.
"Islam, on average, fights once a year," White said. "He was slated for January and then said, 'I don't want to fight until after Ramadan.' You can't hold up divisions like this."
According to White, Makhachev (29-1) was supposed to headline UFC 336 on Jan. 30 in Toronto. The champion will observe the Islamic holy month of Ramadan beginning in February, pushing his return to at least May.
In a response to a question on X, Makhachev stated, "As soon as we find out who the real contender is, we'll be right back!!!"
UFC 336 will take place at Scotiabank Arena. A flyweight title fight between Joshua Van (18-2) and Manel Kape (23-7) will headline the event, with the interim title fight serving as the co-main event.
Prates (24-7) has been one of the most dynamic finishers in MMA since his UFC debut in 2024. He is 7-1 inside the Octagon, with notable wins over former champions Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards. All seven of his UFC wins have come by knockout.
Morales (19-0) has been similarly explosive. He is 7-0 in the UFC with five knockouts, four of which have come in the first round.