Islam Makhachev says he turned down a scheduled welterweight title defense and wants Carlos Prates to defeat Michael Morales first. The two are set to fight for an interim welterweight championship at UFC 336 on January 30, with the event returning to Toronto, according to multiple reports. Makhachev adds that he plans to return after Ramadan and then face the winner.
Several outlets also highlight UFC’s response to the delay. CBS Sports reports that Dana White explains the booking changes, saying UFC cannot “hold up” divisions and that an original plan involved Makhachev fighting in January. Other coverage focuses on White’s criticism of Makhachev’s inactivity and frames it as a disruption to the welterweight picture. Across outlets, the key points center on why the title route shifted and what Makhachev and White each say should happen next.
