The UFC booked Van vs. Kape for the flyweight title and Prates vs. Morales for an interim welterweight title at UFC 336 on Jan. 30; Makhachev's next defense is planned for May to July.
From 33 reports by 20 outletsCorrections
: Correction: outlets differ on whether Van vs. Kape or Prates vs. Morales is the UFC 336 main event MMA Junkie lists Van vs. Kape as the co-main event, while MMA Fighting and Bloody Elbow have it headlining. The UFC has not been cited on the billing order.
Source: 
Yahoo Sports MMA / Uncrowned
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Fact
Flyweight champion Joshua Van defends his title against Manel Kape in the UFC 336 main event, announced by the UFC during the UFC 333 broadcast.Flyweight champion Joshua Van (18-2) defends his title for the third time against Manel Kape (23-7) at UFC 336, announced during the UFC 333 broadcast. -
Fact
Carlos Prates faces Michael Morales for an interim UFC welterweight title in the UFC 336 co-main event.Carlos Prates faces Michael Morales for an interim UFC welterweight title at UFC 336. -
Article
Flyweight champion Joshua Van defends his title against Manel Kape in the main event, and welterweight contenders Carlos Prates and Michael Morales fight for an interim title in the co-main event.Flyweight champion Joshua Van defends his belt against Manel Kape, and welterweight contenders Carlos Prates and Michael Morales fight for an interim title.
: Correction: Van vs. Kape is the UFC 336 main event; Prates vs. Morales for the interim title is the co-main Bloody Elbow and MMA Fighting both report Van vs. Kape as the headliner, with the interim welterweight title fight as co-main event.
Source: 
Bloody Elbow
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Bottom line
The UFC announced Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales for an interim welterweight title and Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape for the flyweight title at UFC 336 on Jan. 30 in Toronto.The UFC announced Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape for the flyweight title and Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales for an interim welterweight title at UFC 336 on Jan. 30 in Toronto. -
Fact
Carlos Prates faces Michael Morales for an interim UFC welterweight title at UFC 336, announced by the UFC during the UFC 333 broadcast.Carlos Prates faces Michael Morales for an interim UFC welterweight title in the UFC 336 co-main event. -
Fact
Flyweight champion Joshua Van defends his title against Manel Kape at UFC 336, announced by the UFC.Flyweight champion Joshua Van defends his title against Manel Kape in the UFC 336 main event, announced by the UFC during the UFC 333 broadcast. -
Article
Welterweight contenders Carlos Prates and Michael Morales will fight for an interim title in a five-round main event, and flyweight champion Joshua Van defends against Manel Kape in the co-main.Flyweight champion Joshua Van defends his title against Manel Kape in the main event, and welterweight contenders Carlos Prates and Michael Morales fight for an interim title in the co-main event. -
Article
Prates, the UFC's original plan for the headliner, fell through because the date no longer worked for the champion.Removed
Latest Jon Anik says the UFC is planning Makhachev's next title defense for between May and July 9 updates 20 outlets
What we know
- UFC 336 takes place on January 30 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
- Flyweight champion Joshua Van (18-2) defends his title for the third time against Manel Kape (23-7) at UFC 336, announced during the UFC 333 broadcast.
- Carlos Prates (24-7) faces Michael Morales (19-0) in a five-round bout for an interim UFC welterweight title at UFC 336.
- Makhachev does not fight during Ramadan, which begins Feb. 8, so a quick reschedule was unlikely.
Reported, not confirmed
- Makhachev vs. Prates was the initial plan to headline UFC 336; Ag. Fight and Yahoo say the date did not work for Makhachev, while Heavy says he is unavailable due to injury. The UFC has not given a reason. Ag. Fight, Yahoo Sports MMA / Uncrowned, Heavy on UFC
- Jon Anik said on the UFC 333 broadcast that the UFC is planning Makhachev's next defense for between May and July, against the interim champion according to Heavy. Knockout Daily, Heavy on UFC
The UFC has set two title fights for UFC 336 on Jan. 30 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Flyweight champion Joshua Van defends his belt against Manel Kape, and welterweight contenders Carlos Prates and Michael Morales fight for an interim title. Both bouts were announced during the UFC 333 broadcast; outlets differ on which of the two is the main event.
Van (18-2) will be making his third title defense, after beating Tatsuro Taira and then Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch. Kape (23-7) earns his first UFC title shot on a run of four straight knockout wins, most recently over Kyoji Horiguchi.
Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev had been expected to headline the card but will not compete. Ag. Fight and Yahoo say the date did not work for him, while Heavy says he is injured and that the Prates vs. Morales winner will face him later in 2027. Makhachev does not fight during Ramadan, which begins in February.
Van (18-2) will be making his third title defense, after beating Tatsuro Taira and then Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch. Kape (23-7) earns his first UFC title shot on a run of four straight knockout wins, most recently over Kyoji Horiguchi.
Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev had been expected to headline the card but will not compete. Ag. Fight and Yahoo say the date did not work for him, while Heavy says he is injured and that the Prates vs. Morales winner will face him later in 2027. Makhachev does not fight during Ramadan, which begins in February.
- Summary
- The UFC booked Van vs. Kape for the flyweight title and Prates vs. Morales for an interim welterweight title at UFC 336 on Jan. 30; Makhachev's next defense is planned for May to July.
- Key points (one per line)
- Flyweight champion Joshua Van (18-2) defends against Manel Kape (23-7)
Carlos Prates (24-7) meets unbeaten Michael Morales (19-0) for an interim welterweight title over five rounds
Islam Makhachev is out of UFC 336; the reason has not been confirmed
Jon Anik said the UFC plans Makhachev's next defense for between May and July
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- BJPenn.com | https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/islam-makhachev/islam-makhachev-carlos-prates-ufc-336-fight-scratched/
Bloody Elbow | https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/10/23/dana-white-gives-tight-lipped-reaction-to-reportedly-cancelled-plans-for-islam-makhachev/
Yahoo Sports MMA / Uncrowned | https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/islam-makhachev-reportedly-ufc-336-024527579.html
Heavy on UFC | https://heavy.com/sports/ufc/dana-white-reacts-ufc-336-off/
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/shavkat-rakhmonov-training-clip-drops-just-as-ufc-336-loses-its-main-event
MMA Fanatik Slovakia | https://sport.aktuality.sk/mma-fanatik/zakulisne-zdroje-hovoria-o-obrovskej-pohrome-pre-ufc-vedenie-narychlo-zachranuje-hlavny-zapas/
Yahoo Sports MMA / Uncrowned | https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dana-white-reacts-news-ufc-054802366.html
Blood & Sweat | https://www.bloodandsweat.ru/2026/10/slux-islam-maxachev-otkazalsya-dratsya-s-pratesom-na-ufc-336/
ActuMMA | https://www.actumma.com/un-changement-inattendu-remet-en-question-le-prochain-combat-dislam-makhachev-a-lufc/194063/
X: @arielhelwani | https://x.com/arielhelwani/status/2113682139258745275
MMA Insight | https://mmainsight.com/news/islam-makhachev-wont-be-headlining-ufc-336-in-january
Bloody Elbow | https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/10/24/carlos-prates-reacts-to-islam-makhachevs-reported-ufc-336-withdrawal-with-iconic-nate-diaz-moment/
Yardbarker MMA | https://www.yardbarker.com/mma/articles/carlos_prates_reacts_to_islam_makhachevs_reported_ufc_336_withdrawal_with_iconic_nate_diaz_moment/s1_17651_44467201
FightTime.ru | https://fighttime.ru/news/item/44476-karlos-prates-otreagiroval-na-novost-ob-otmene-boya-s-islamom-makhachevym.html
X: @AgFight | https://x.com/AgFight/status/2113675327348375861
Yardbarker MMA | https://www.yardbarker.com/mma/articles/islam_makhachev_pulls_out_of_carlos_prates_fight_as_ufc_336_loses_main_event_spot/s1_17730_44467311
Fightsports Greece | https://www.fightsports.gr/mma/%ce%b5%ce%ba%cf%84%cf%8c%cf%82-ufc-336-%ce%bf-islam-makhachev-%ce%b7-%ce%b1%ce%b9%ce%bd%ce%b9%ce%b3%ce%bc%ce%b1%cf%84%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%ae-%ce%b1%ce%bd%cf%84%ce%af%ce%b4%cf%81%ce%b1%cf%83%ce%b7-%cf%84/
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/joshua-van-reportedly-gets-manel-kape-the-man-whose-broken-foot-opened-the-door
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/islam-makhachev-just-floated-a-prates-vs-morales-title-eliminator-for-january
MiddleEasy | https://middleeasy.com/mma-news/islam-makhachev-prates-morales-january-replies/
Yahoo Sports MMA / Uncrowned | https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/article/ufc-336-carlos-prates-vs-michael-morales-interim-title-fight-set-joshua-van-vs-manel-kape-to-co-main-193513965.html
Heavy on UFC | https://heavy.com/sports/ufc/flyweight-title-ufc-336-in-toronto/
Heavy on UFC | https://heavy.com/sports/ufc/interim-title-fight-headlines-ufc-336/
Ag. Fight | https://agfight.com/ufc/sem-makhachev-ufc-anuncia-prates-vs-morales-por-titulo-interino-em-janeiro/
MMA Fighting | https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/517377/joshua-van-vs-manel-kape-set-for-ufc-336
Bloody Elbow | https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/10/24/interim-welterweight-title-fight-announced-after-islam-makhachevs-withdrawal-from-ufc-336/
Yahoo Sports MMA / Uncrowned | https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/joshua-van-vs-manel-kape-193553997.html
Yahoo Sports MMA / Uncrowned | https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ufc-336-carlos-prates-vs-193643343.html
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/islam-makhachev-gets-his-wish-as-prates-and-morales-collide-for-interim-gold
SUPER LUTAS | https://www.superlutas.com.br/noticias/379592/oficial-carlos-prates-luta-islam-makhachev-ufc-336-janeiro/
La Sueur | https://lasueur.com/islam-makhachev-veut-faire-le-tri-dans-la-course-a-sa-ceinture-trop-de-pretendants-24-10-2026
FightTime.ru | https://fighttime.ru/news/item/44483-karlos-prates-i-majkl-morales-razygrayut-vremennyj-titul-ufc.html
InTheCage | https://inthecage.pl/carlos-prates-i-michael-morales-powalcza-o-tymczasowy-pas-ufc-islam-makhachev-wypada-z-planow-na-ufc-336/
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Fighters in this story
Islam Makhachev
Carlos Prates
Michael Morales
Joshua Van
Manel Kape
Sean Strickland
Jon JonesHow the story developed
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Jon Anik says the UFC is planning Makhachev's next title defense for between May and July
Knockout Daily
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Correction Correction: outlets differ on whether Van vs. Kape or Prates vs. Morales is the UFC 336 main eventYahoo Sports MMA / Uncrowned
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Correction Correction: Van vs. Kape is the UFC 336 main event; Prates vs. Morales for the interim title is the co-mainBloody Elbow
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Heavy reports Makhachev is out injured and the Prates vs. Morales winner will face him later in 2027
Heavy on UFC
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Announced UFC announces Prates vs. Morales for interim welterweight title and Van vs. Kape for flyweight title at UFC 336Yahoo Sports MMA / Uncrowned
Show 4 earlier updates
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Rumor Makhachev reportedly floats Prates vs. Morales contender bout for January, citing 'too much contenders'Knockout Daily
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Rumor Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape for the flyweight title reportedly set for UFC 336, per a report on XKnockout Daily
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Prates reacts with Nate Diaz's 'I'm not surprised' clip on InstagramBloody Elbow
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Rumor Makhachev vs. Prates reportedly off as UFC 336 headliner; date no longer works for championKnockout Daily
Sources
Yardbarker MMA
FightTime.ru
BJPenn.com
MMA Fanatik Slovakia
Blood & Sweat
ActuMMA
MMA Insight
Fightsports Greece
MiddleEasy
Ag. Fight
MMA Fighting
SUPER LUTAS
La Sueur
InTheCageSummarized with AI from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
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