Dana White says Islam Makhachev did not want to fight until after Ramadan
The UFC boss said divisions cannot be held up for a champion who fights about once a year, as Carlos Prates and Michael Morales fight for the interim welterweight title instead.
Islam Makhachev was slated to fight in January but then said he did not want to fight until after Ramadan, Dana White said at the UFC 333 post-fight press conference in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Asked why the Toronto main event had to be an interim title fight, the UFC boss said: "Well, Islam, you know, on average, Islam fights like once a year. And he was slated for January and then said, I don't want to fight until after Ramadan. And you just, you can't hold up divisions like this. You got to keep moving. And this fight makes sense."
Asked whether the welterweight champion had given a reason, White said: "No, no reason."
Carlos Prates, ranked No 1 at welterweight, and Michael Morales, ranked No 3, now fight for the interim title at UFC 336 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on 30 January. Joshua Van defends the flyweight title against Manel Kape on the same card (read more).
Makhachev vs Prates had been the plan for the Toronto main event. Speaking straight after his title defence in August, Makhachev said he wanted to fight again either before the end of 2026 or in January.
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Reported by the Combat Sports UK desk. Times are UK and Irish time, and we update the report when the facts change. How we work.