Matt Brown says UFC interim welterweight title feels like a punch in Islam Makhachev's gut
The UFC veteran defended Makhachev's right to choose when he returns, two months after the champion's last title defence against Ian Machado Garry.
Matt Brown has questioned whether the UFC is punishing Islam Makhachev by putting an interim welterweight title on the line at UFC 336, saying the champion has earned the right to pick when he fights.
Makhachev turned down a defence against Carlos Prates on the 30 January card in Toronto, and Prates will now face Michael Morales for the interim welterweight title instead. Makhachev defended his belt in August with a unanimous decision win over Ian Machado Garry and has said he will face the winner after Ramadan.
Speaking on MMA Fighting's The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, Brown said: “Is that the UFC trying to punch Islam in the gut? That's what it feels like here.”
Brown said the champion had only been out for a short time. He said: “He just fought what two months ago? Two months ago. We don't need to do this. The interim title's not going to mean anything.”
He added: “It's an amazing fight Morales vs. Prates, but you're knocking off a contender. I'd rather see Islam fight both of them.” He also said: “The last thing I like out of this is a f*cking interim title.”
Brown said he had been surprised that Makhachev turned the Prates fight down, but would not criticise him for it. He said: “When you get to that level, you get a little bit more picky and choosy, as you should. I'm not going to hate on Islam being picky and choosy about this fight.”
He called for the UFC to set a standard for when an interim title is created, as happens in boxing, and said Makhachev's timing was fair if he had been clear with the promotion. He said: “I don't know what the behind the scenes conversation was, but if he's clear to them 'I'm going to fight in March, April, June, July' whatever it is, then that's totally fair. He's earned that right to pick when he fights.”
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