UFC 336: Prates and Morales to fight for interim title – White criticises Makhachev
Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev wants to wait until after Ramadan. Instead, Carlos Prates and unbeaten Michael Morales meet on 30 January in Toronto.
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At UFC 336 on 30 January 2027 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Carlos Prates and Michael Morales will fight for the interim welterweight title. Champion Islam Makhachev had been expected to defend against Prates in January. According to Sherdog, the winner is set to face Makhachev for the undisputed title later, possibly next summer.
Dana White made no secret of his frustration at the UFC 333 post-fight press conference: "On average, Islam fights like once a year, and he was slated for January." Makhachev then said he did not want to fight until after Ramadan – without giving a reason. "You just can't hold up divisions like this. You got to keep moving. And this fight makes sense," White said.
According to Uncrowned, Prates (24-7) has won his last three fights, including knockouts of former champions Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards. Morales (19-0) is unbeaten and last stopped Sean Brady in the first round at UFC 322. Makhachev beat Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision at UFC 330 in August.