UFC CEO Dana White said he is frustrated by Islam Makhachev’s activity level and urged champions to defend at least twice a year.
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UFC CEO Dana White said he is frustrated by Islam Makhachev’s activity rate inside the Octagon, speaking to reporters in Las Vegas.
White said he does not expect champions to fight three times a year, but that defending titles at least twice annually is important to keeping divisions moving. “Being the champ, I don’t really expect you to fight three times a year but twice would be nice.”
White’s comments came after Makhachev reportedly backed out of a verbal agreement to headline UFC 336 against Carlos Prates. The champion instead chose to sit out until after Ramadan, the UFC then booking an interim welterweight title clash between Prates and unbeaten Michael Morales.
White said prolonged inactivity leads to problems for fighters waiting for opportunities. He described the resulting logjam for contenders as divisions stall when champions are not actively defending.
White also pointed to the way accumulated wealth and legacy can slow down elite fighters once they reach financial security. He noted that Makhachev, who has defended his welterweight crown against Ian Machado Garry, has recently hinted that his next bout might be among the last in his career.
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