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Dana White Blames Islam Makhachev For Shock UFC Title Decision

Dana White says the UFC booked an interim welterweight title for UFC 336 because Islam Makhachev wanted to wait until after Ramadan, and divisions can't wait.

ByPranav Pandey

Dana White isn’t willing to let the UFC welterweight division wait for Islam Makhachev, and the promotion’s latest decision has put the undisputed champion under scrutiny.

Carlos Prates was expected to challenge Makhachev at UFC 336 on January 30, 2027, in Toronto. Instead, “The Nightmare” will face undefeated contender Michael Morales for an interim welterweight title after Makhachev indicated he would return only after Ramadan.

White explained the decision at the UFC 333 post-fight press conference.

On average, Islam fights like once 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 got to keep moving, and this fight makes sense. No reason.

White also said Makhachev had provided no reason for declining the proposed January timeline, pushing the UFC to move forward without its reigning champion.

Islam Makhachev Questions Carlos Prates’ Title Credentials

Makhachev, who captured the welterweight title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena, most recently defended his belt against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in August. Rather than accept the proposed matchup with Prates, the champion questioned whether “The Nightmare” had done enough to earn a title shot.

Prates suffered his only UFC defeat against Garry, who subsequently lost to Makhachev. The Russian argued that Prates and Morales should face each other to establish a more deserving challenger before he returns to defend his belt.