MMA insider Ariel Helwani has criticized the UFC for booking an interim welterweight championship fight between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales at UFC 336. Helwani described the decision to introduce an interim belt as premature, noting that current division champion Islam Makhachev defended his belt just months ago.
The UFC originally targeted a title fight between Makhachev and Prates to lead UFC 336 in Toronto, Canada, this January. However, Makhachev declined the bout, opting to extend his time away from competition until after Ramadan. Makhachev disputed Prates’ credentials as the top contender, pointing to the Brazilian’s past loss against Ian Machado Garry—a fighter Makhachev defeated at UFC 330 in August. Makhachev’s refusal prompted Prates to accuse the champion on social media of avoiding the matchup.
Helwani Questions Need for Interim Belt
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Helwani voiced frustration over the creation of an interim belt so quickly after a successful title defense. While Helwani emphasized that he does not mind fighters taking extended breaks, he criticized Makhachev for altering his initial timeline after previously expressing a desire for a quick return.
“I don’t have an issue with Islam [Makhachev] not coming back in five months. The only issue I have is he told us that’s what he wanted. And now he’s flip-flopping,” Helwani said during the broadcast.
“Again, I know I’m all over the map here, and I know this could be misconstrued. There should not be an interim title because he just fought, at this point, two months ago. By the time the fight happens, it will be five months. He fought two months ago. There is no world where there should be an interim title.”
Pushback Against Champion’s Logic
Helwani also dismissed Makhachev’s rationale for bypassing Prates. Despite his previous loss to Garry, Prates has built momentum by securing two consecutive finishes. While Helwani expressed support for Prates and Morales receiving the financial bonuses associated with a title fight, he voiced disappointment that the originally planned bout fell through.
“I’m happy there’s an interim title because they’re getting the perks. That’s just because I’m a lover of the fighters and I want them to get paid more. It is annoying that it’s not Carlos Prates vs. Islam Makhachev because that’s the fight that they wanted to make,” Helwani said.
“[Makhachev] told us that he wanted to fight in either December or January. And now he’s trying to say, ‘I don’t want to fight Carlos Prates because he lost to Ian Garry two years ago.’ None of it makes sense,” Helwani added.
With Makhachev remaining on the sidelines until after Ramadan, Prates and Morales are set to collide for the interim welterweight title in Toronto.
