Islam
Makhachev believes an interim title fight will clarify the next
challenger for his welterweight championship.
Makhachev had been expected to defend his
Ultimate Fighting Championship title against Carlos
Prates at UFC
336 in January 2027. Instead, Prates will face Michael
Morales for the interim belt. The reigning champion supports
having the two contenders meet before challenging him.
Advertisement
Islam Makhachev backs Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales to
determine his next welterweight challenger
Makhachev (29-1) pointed to Prates’ defeat against Ian Garry,
whom he beat in August.
The Russian also questioned whether Morales (19-0), who has not
competed since November 2025, should receive a title shot without
another fight. He believes a matchup between Morales and Prates
(24-7) will establish the next challenger.
“Prates and Morales will fight to determine who is a true worthy
contender,” Makhachev told Pound4Padel. “And I will fight [the
winner]. It’s good; it makes it more interesting. They offered me a
fight against Prates, who recently lost to someone I beat. And if I
beat him, Morales would already be next in line, who is not
fighting and waiting [for a title shot]. Just let them fight and we
will figure out who is the real challenger.”
Prates has finished all seven of his UFC victories, with his only
promotional defeat coming by unanimous decision against Garry last
year. “The Nightmare” has since stopped Geoff Neal,
Leon
Edwards and Jack
Della Maddalena. Morales finished Sean Brady
in his most recent appearance.