Carlos Prates is battling Michael Morales for an interim welterweight title at UFC 336, but why exactly is a new championship being introduced with Islam Makhachev still holding onto his belt?
Original plans for UFC 336 had Makhachev defending his title in the main event against Prates but suddenly the reigning welterweight champion became unavailable and plans changed for the organization. On Saturday at UFC 333, UFC CEO Dana White addressed the situation and why the promotion decided to introduce a new belt rather than just declare Prates vs. Morales as a No. 1 contender’s fight.
“On average, Islam fights like one time a year,” White said at the post-fight press conference. “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’ve got to keep moving and this fight makes sense.”
Makhachev last fought in August where he scored a unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry in his latest title defese.
While there was speculation that an injury forced a delay in his return, White was adamant that Makhachev gave “no reason’ for the delay in his return.
Ramadan is observed from Feb. 8 to March 8 in 2027 and Makhachev always avoids fighting during that time due to his religion.
During the UFC 333 broadcast, it was mentioned that Makhachev could be ready to return as soon as May, but the promotion opted not to wait that long and introduce an interim title in his absence.
Now Prates and Morales battle for that belt with the winner expected to welcome Makhachev back to the octgon when he’s ready to fight again.