Islam Makhachev is out of his UFC 336 title bout, with Carlos Prates to face Michael Morales for the interim welterweight championship on Jan. 30 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
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UFC 336 will go ahead on Saturday, Jan. 30 at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena with Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales headlining for the interim welterweight championship after reports that Islam Makhachev withdrew from their scheduled title fight.
UFC CEO Dana White said Friday that the early reports about Makhachev were “interesting,” adding that Makhachev did not provide a reason for not fighting in January.
Commentator Jon Anik, speaking during the Paramount broadcast, said the UFC had worked with Makhachev on scheduling a January title defense, but that the decision came after preparations were already set. “They held that date for them. They informed him earlier this week that he would not be ready to compete, as was previously planned,” Anik said.
Anik also noted Makhachev’s next title defense would likely be pushed to between May and July due to Ramadan beginning in February.
In the co-main event, Joshua Van will take on Manel Kape for the flyweight title.
Makhachev last defended his welterweight title against Ian Garry at UFC 330 in August.
Morales last fought in November 2025, when he defeated Sean Brady for his seventh straight UFC victory, and Prates most recently competed in May, defeating former welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Fight Night in Perth, Australia.
Van has defended his undisputed flyweight title twice, most recently in September with a win over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331, while Kape enters the fight on a streak of four straight TKO victories.
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