White strips Makhachev of momentum as interim welterweight title created after Ramadan delay

The UFC will introduce an interim welterweight title at UFC 336, with Carlos Prates meeting Michael Morales for the belt after champion Islam Makhachev made himself unavailable until after Ramadan — a decision that prompted UFC CEO Dana White to act rather than stall an entire division.

Makhachev had originally been booked to defend his welterweight title against Prates in the UFC 336 main event, but the champion withdrew from those plans. Speaking at the UFC 333 post-fight press conference on Saturday, White explained the reasoning behind creating a new championship rather than simply rebooking the fight or staging a straightforward No. 1 contender bout.

“On average, Islam fights like one time a year,” White said. “He was slated for January and then said ‘I don’t want to fight until after Ramadan. You can’t hold up divisions like this. You’ve got to keep moving and this fight makes sense.”

Makhachev last competed in August, earning a unanimous decision over Ian Machado Garry in a welterweight title defence. White stated the champion offered “no reason” for the delay beyond his religious observance of Ramadan, which runs from February 8 to March 8 in 2027. Makhachev has consistently avoided fighting during that period throughout his career.

During the UFC 333 broadcast, it was suggested Makhachev could be ready to return as early as May, but the promotion chose not to wait and moved forward with the interim title framework instead.

Prates and Morales will now fight for that belt, with the winner expected to serve as the mandatory challenger when Makhachev is ready to return to the octagon.