UFC 336: Prates faces Morales for interim welterweight title, Van defends vs. Kape

Dana White said Islam Makhachev was slated to fight in January but then said he did not want to fight until after Ramadan. White made the comments at the UFC 333 post-fight press conference in Abu Dhabi, explaining why the Toronto card has an interim title fight. He said Makhachev, who fights about once a year, could not hold up the division, and that the champion gave no reason.

Carlos Prates, ranked No. 1 at welterweight, and Michael Morales, ranked No. 3, now fight for the interim title at UFC 336 on Jan. 30 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Joshua Van defends the flyweight title against Manel Kape on the same card. Makhachev vs. Prates had been the plan for the Toronto main event.

Prates reacted angrily on Instagram and vowed to beat Morales and then retire Makhachev, who answered on X: "Shut up and go train. You're not on my level." Jon Anik said on the UFC 333 broadcast that the UFC plans Makhachev's next defense for May to July, according to Knockout Daily. Heavy reported that Makhachev is injured, which the UFC has not confirmed.

Outlets disagree on whether Van vs. Kape or Prates vs. Morales is the main event.