Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev was expected to defend his title at UFC 336 in January, but that’s not the case. Instead, top contender Carlos Prates will face No. 3 ranked Michael Morales for an interim belt. Makhachev has opted to wait until after Ramadan to step back in the octagon.
According to UFC CEO Dana White, Makhachev had verbally agreed to face Prates in January before changing his mind.
“Yeah, it was verbally agreed to,” White said during a media event on Wednesday promoting his bull Playmate.
“I think when you get to a position where he’s at and what he’s accomplished, who knows what he’s thinking or what he wants to do next? But, obviously, I like when guys fight a lot. Being the champ, I don’t really expect you to fight three times a year, but twice would be nice. What you start to do is back up the division, because lots of guys would like a shot at the title.”
Makhachev has stated that Prates needed to prove himself more before getting a title shot but White believes Makhachev’s decision came down to one thing.
“I think it’s money,” White said. “Once you get so much money — when guys are young and hungry, they want to fight a lot because they want to get paid. But once you start to get enough money, you don’t have to fight all the time. And for him, to be fair to Islam, look at what he’s accomplished.”
Makhachev last fought in August, defeating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330. It was his first welterweight title defense.