RUMOR UFC 336: Makhachev reportedly out of Toronto headliner against Prates

Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev is no longer expected to defend his title against Carlos Prates atop UFC 336 in Toronto, first reported by Ag. Fight and then backed by Ariel Helwani, who wrote: "Date doesn't work for Makhachev anymore. Unclear why." The bout had been the UFC's plan but was never signed, and Makhachev's manager had said earlier in the week that it was not close to being finalized, according to BJPenn.com.

The timing matters because Makhachev does not fight during Ramadan, which begins in February. He had been pushing to return before then, so losing the January date likely pushes his next defense back by months. That leaves Prates, who said he was told he was next after signing a new eight-fight deal, without a date. He responded on Instagram Stories with Nate Diaz's 2016 post-fight interview from UFC 196.

Replacement ideas are speculation for now. Heavy floated keeping Prates on the card against Michael Morales, possibly for an interim title, or against Shavkat Rakhmonov. It also suggested Mike Malott, a Natalia Silva vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius rematch, or Sean Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov. Knockout Daily noted that no source has reported a contract, date or talks involving Rakhmonov, and that a Strickland-Imavov rematch depends on Imavov's pay dispute with the UFC.