UFC 336: Prates faces Morales for interim title after Makhachev skips January

The UFC has put a belt where Islam Makhachev's January date used to be. Carlos Prates and Michael Morales fight for the interim welterweight title at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, and the winner is due to meet the champion in a unification fight. No date for Makhachev's return has been set, though Bloody Elbow reports he has ruled out fighting before May 2027.

The explanations differ. Dana White said Makhachev was slated for January and then said he didn't want to fight until after Ramadan: "You can't hold up divisions like this." Makhachev's version is about matchmaking: Prates lost to Ian Machado Garry, whom Makhachev beat, and Morales would be next in line anyway. Javier Mendez, his coach, told Submission Radio that the camp never agreed to fight Prates and that he can't say there is no injury because he hasn't spoken to the champion. He assumes it is about preparation time.

The feud has turned personal. After Makhachev's manager Ali Abdelaziz told contenders to talk less, Prates answered on X: "I will not add anything on his legacy, I will finish his legacy brother." He added that if Makhachev fought for passion, he would take the No. 1 contender in January. Prates's coach Cristian Nogueira told Sherdog his camp had been preparing for Makhachev and now shifts its work toward footwork. He predicts a finish in the second half of round two and says the fight won't reach round three.

Reaction among fighters has split. Kamaru Usman called the matchup phenomenal and said either winner would be well placed to succeed Makhachev, while Michael Bisping criticized the champion for fighting once a year and picking opponents.

In the cage it is a finisher against an unbeaten fighter. Prates, 33, is 24-7 and has finished every one of his UFC wins. Morales, 27, is 19-0 and from Ecuador.

The flyweight title fight on the card has its own edge. Champion Joshua Van, 25, coming off a unanimous decision win over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331, defends against Manel Kape. Watch whether Makhachev commits to a date once an interim champion is crowned.