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

The UFC built an interim welterweight title fight around Carlos Prates and Michael Morales after Islam Makhachev, who was planned to headline against Prates, stepped out of January. Dana White explained the move at the UFC 333 post-fight press conference in Abu Dhabi, saying Makhachev fights about once a year and that divisions cannot be held up. Both UFC 336 title fights were announced during the UFC 333 broadcast.

The winner is expected to meet Makhachev later. Jon Anik said on the broadcast that Makhachev would likely return between May and July after observing Ramadan, and Yahoo Sports points to a second-quarter 2027 timeline for a title shot. Heavy reported that Makhachev is injured, but the UFC has given no reason and White said there was none.

The feud is already heated. Prates, who says he is the No. 1 contender, wrote on Instagram that he would knock out Morales and then come back to retire the champion. Makhachev answered on X, pointing to Prates' loss to Ian Machado Garry, whom Makhachev beat at UFC 330.

The card also has Joshua Van defending the flyweight title against top contender Manel Kape, a grudge match built on months of trash talk. Outlets disagree on the billing, so the main event may be clarified later.