The Ultimate Fighting Championship planned for Islam Makhachev to defend his 170-pound title against top contender Carlos Prates at UFC 336 in Toronto this coming January. After Makhachev declined the matchup, the promotion instead scheduled Prates to face third-ranked Michael Morales for an interim championship strap.
Fighters Support Makhachev’s Decision
While UFC CEO Dana White expressed frustration over the situation, several fighters voiced their support for Makhachev. Former UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo stated on his Pound 4 Pound podcast that the champion made the right choice by wanting top contenders to battle each other first.
Cejudo explained that champions naturally want the leading contenders to eliminate each other so a clear challenger emerges. He added that the matchup between Michael Morales and Carlos Prates stands alone as a pay-per-view main event.
Criticism of the Interim Title
Dana White previously noted that he rarely turns down requests from highly accomplished champions, and Makhachev holds a decorated resume featuring titles in two weight classes and a winning streak dating back to October 2015. Furthermore, Morales has not competed in 2015, while Prates has only fought once since the previous year.
Retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown told MMA Fighting that elite fighters earn the right to be selective about their bouts. Brown suggested that introducing an interim title so soon after Makhachev’s last fight—which took place just two months prior—feels unnecessary and serves as a jab at the champion.
Brown noted that if Makhachev provided a clear timeline for a return in the spring or summer, his hesitation is entirely justified. He concluded that an interim championship in this scenario carries no real significance.
