Islam Makhachev confirms interim welterweight title fight at UFC 336
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 24, 2026, 10:27 PM
Last updated Oct 24, 2026
Islam Makhachev will not defend his welterweight title soon, as an interim-title fight between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales is scheduled for UFC 336 in January in Toronto. Makhachev, the UFC's pound-for-pound No. 1, last fought in August, defeating Ian Machado Garry. This news follows speculation about Makhachev headlining the event, but he will take additional time away from competition. The interim title fight will serve alongside Joshua Van's flyweight title defense against Manel Kape.
- •UFC 336 takes place on January 30 in Toronto.
- •Carlos Prates is 7-1, facing undefeated Michael Morales, who is 7-0 in the UFC.
- •Makhachev's last victory was a title defense against Ian Machado Garry.
- •Prates has seven knockout wins in the UFC.
- •Joshua Van will defend his flyweight title at the same event.
- 10:27 PMYahoo Sports — Islam Makhachev makes huge UFC decision as unexpected title fight is confirmed
"The welterweight champion was expected to defend his belt early next year
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
UFC•Oct 25, 2026, 12:00 AMUFC's Makhachev unable to defend title; interim title bout booked
UFC•Oct 24, 2026, 11:13 PMUFC 333 video: Petr Yan, Merab Dvalishvili make weight for trilogy bout
UFC•Oct 24, 2026, 11:13 PMAlexander Volkanovski, Petr Yan solidify their greatness at UFC 333
UFC•Oct 24, 2026, 10:41 PMAlexander Volkanovski stops Movsar Evloev in explosive UFC 333 title defense
UFC•Oct 24, 2026, 10:37 PMMarc Goddard deducts another UFC point, this time for illegal strikes
UFC•Oct 24, 2026, 10:15 PMUFC 333 preview and picks for Volkanovski vs. Evloev and Yan vs. Dvalishvili