Dana White says Islam
Makhachev was initially expected to defend his
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title in January
but now wants to return after Ramadan next year.
Speaking to reporters after
UFC 333 on Saturday, the UFC CEO explained the decision to book
Carlos
Prates against Michael
Morales for an interim title and criticized Makhachev’s
activity.
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Dana White says Islam Makhachev’s post-Ramadan return prompted
Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales at UFC 336
Prates and Morales will meet at UFC
336 on Jan. 30, 2027, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The
winner is expected to face Makhachev in a title unification bout,
potentially next summer.
White said Makhachev’s change of plans prompted the promotion to
introduce an interim championship.
“On average, Islam fights like once a year, and he was slated for
January and then said, ‘I don’t want to fight until after
Ramadan,’” White said. “You just can’t hold up divisions like this.
You got to keep moving. And this fight makes sense.”
When asked whether Makhachev had provided a reason for declining
the January date, White responded:
“No, no reason.”