Islam Makhachev vs Carlos Prates no longer the target for UFC 336 main event in Toronto
Ariel Helwani says the 30 January date no longer works for the welterweight champion, and the UFC is now looking at other options for the card.
Islam Makhachev's welterweight title defence against Carlos Prates is no longer the planned main event for UFC 336 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on 30 January.
Brazilian outlet Ag. Fight reported on Friday that Makhachev had originally been slotted into the card but was now out of the main event, with the UFC studying new options for the show.
Ariel Helwani then said that Makhachev vs Prates had been "the hope/plan", but that the UFC is "looking elsewhere now" because the date "doesn't work for Makhachev anymore". Helwani said it was unclear why, and that there was no word yet on a new target for the main event.
Earlier this week Makhachev's manager, Rizvan Magomedov, said a fight with Prates was not close to being confirmed. Speaking straight after his title defence in August, Makhachev said he wanted to fight again either before the end of 2026 or in January.
Helwani had previously said the Toronto card was expected to centre on the welterweight division, with Michael Morales also targeting a return in that timeframe.
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