Islam Makhachev to Pass on UFC 336 Title Fight
The champion will skip the January 30, 2027, event in Canada as he observes Ramadan.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has declined a title defence scheduled for UFC 336 on January 30, 2027. Following the decision, the organization has booked an interim welterweight title bout between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales.
Why it matters
The move stems from Makhachev's preference to wait until after Ramadan concludes in February 2027 to return to the octagon. Dana White noted that the division cannot remain stagnant due to inactivity, necessitating the creation of an interim title match.
Islam Makhachev is 34 years old and typically maintains a schedule of one fight per year. Challenger Carlos Prates enters this interim title opportunity riding a 3-fight winning streak that includes victories over Geoff Neal, Leon Edwards, and Jack Della Maddalena.
The players
Islam Makhachev
He is the current UFC champion who maintains a deliberate annual competition schedule.
Dana White
He serves as the CEO of the UFC and oversees all league scheduling and fighter management.
Carlos Prates
He is a rising welterweight contender currently on a three-fight winning streak.
Michael Morales
He is an active welterweight competitor scheduled to face Carlos Prates for the interim title.
Ian Garry
He is a professional fighter who was defeated by Islam Makhachev at UFC 330.
The details
Makhachev last competed in August 2026 at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, where he successfully defeated Ian Garry. The winner of the upcoming contest between Prates and Morales is expected to face Makhachev for title unification in the spring or summer of 2027.
Timeline
August 2026: Islam Makhachev last defended his title against Ian Garry.
January 30, 2027: Scheduled date for UFC 336.
February 2027: Islam Makhachev is set to observe Ramadan.
Spring/Summer 2027: Projected return of Islam Makhachev to UFC action.
Season Trajectory
The creation of an interim title match ensures the division continues to move forward despite the champion's planned hiatus. This decision follows a pattern established by the UFC interim title structure, which is designed to keep title-level competition active during champion absences.
The addition of an interim bout means the UFC 336 card in Canada will now feature a high-stakes title unification path for the main event. Fans and bettors should adjust their expectations, as the winner of the Prates-Morales matchup is now cemented as the mandatory next challenger for Makhachev.
The takeaway
Fighters often navigate complex personal and religious schedules that influence their career timelines. Fans can expect to see an interim champion crowned in early 2027 while waiting for the eventual unification bout later in the year.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the promotion, visit the Mixed Martial Arts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GiveMeSport.
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