UFC · Fight night
Makhachev wants Prates to fight Morales for the challenger spot
He said he will fight the winner. The UFC booked Prates against Morales for the interim welterweight title on January 30, 2027, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Islam Makhachev wants Carlos Prates to fight Michael Morales for the challenger spot.
He said that on Sunday in a video on Instagram, and Makhachev said he will fight the winner. The UFC booked Prates against Morales for the interim welterweight title on January 30, 2027, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, and Makhachev had been offered Prates for that card.
Makhachev beat Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision, 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47, at UFC 330 on August 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, a welterweight title defense and his 17th straight win in the UFC. Makhachev is 34 and 29-1.
Prates is 24-7, and Prates stopped Jack Della Maddalena at 3:17 of the third round on May 2, 2026. Morales is 19-0, and Morales stopped Sean Brady with strikes at 3:27 of the first round on November 15, 2025.
Dana White said on Saturday that Makhachev did not want to fight until after Ramadan, and he said that at the UFC 333 post-fight press conference. The card is UFC 336, and Joshua Van meets Manel Kape for the flyweight title in the main event. Makhachev fights about once a year, and White said an injury was not the reason. Ramadan in 2027 runs from February 8 to March 8, the UFC 333 broadcast mentioned a return in May, and the promotion passed on a No. 1 contender fight.
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