Makhachev turns down Prates fight, citing Ramadan and contender logic

Islam Makhachev will not defend his welterweight title against Carlos Prates in January, with the UFC champion explaining in his own words why he turned the fight down — and why he believes Prates has not yet earned the shot.

For several weeks, rumours circulated that Makhachev would face Prates at UFC 336, but on Saturday the UFC confirmed those reports were false. Instead, Prates will meet Michael Morales for an interim welterweight title at UFC 336, with the winner set to unify against Makhachev at a later date.

UFC CEO Dana White indicated that Makhachev’s decision centred on Ramadan, which runs from 7 February to 8 March in 2027, making a return before next summer unlikely. Speaking with pound4padel.ru on Sunday, Makhachev elaborated on his reasoning.

“They offered me a fight with Prates, who recently lost to a [Ian Machado Garry] who I beat,” Makhachev said. “If I beat him, Morales would already be next in line, who’s not fighting and waiting for [a title shot]. Just let them fight and we will figure out who is the real challenger.”

The champion’s logic is straightforward: Prates suffered a defeat to Ian Machado Garry, a fighter Makhachev has already beaten, which in his view undermines Prates’ claim to an immediate title shot. Makhachev also noted that forcing Prates into a title fight ahead of Morales — who has been waiting in line — would create a further queue problem regardless of the outcome.

“Prates and Morales will fight, determine who a true worthy contender, and I will fight [the winner],” Makhachev added. “They will [fight] among themselves.”

With Ramadan concluding in early March 2027, Makhachev’s next title defence is unlikely to materialise before the summer. The interim bout at UFC 336 will now serve as the official eliminator to determine his next mandatory challenger.