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. Ag. Fight broke the news and Ariel Helwani backed it, writing: "Date doesn't work for Makhachev anymore. Unclear why." The fight was the UFC's plan but was never signed. According to BJPenn.com, Makhachev's manager had said earlier in the week that it was not close to being finalized. Yardbarker noted that Makhachev disclosed a rib injury after his UFC 330 win over Ian Machado Garry, but no outlet has linked it to the change.

The timing is the problem. Makhachev does not fight during Ramadan, which begins in February, and he had been pushing to return before then. Losing the January date likely delays his next defense by months. That leaves Prates without a date, even though he said he was told he was next after signing his new deal. When Nina Drama asked about the reports on her Kick stream, Dana White smiled, called it interesting and changed the subject.

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