Islam Makhachev reveals UFC timeline, addresses Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales
Despite UFC 333 having just taken place, featuring stellar wins from Alexander Volkanovski and Peter Yan, welterweight is one of the biggest stories in MMA. UFC 333 also featured the announcement of UFC 336.
The co-main event of 336 is the interim welterweight title fight, featuring Carlos Prates and Michael Morales. The two top contenders will fight for the right to face Islam Makhachev for the undisputed title.
UFC 336: Why Islam Makhachev’s absence doesn’t warrant interim title
The fight itself is phenomenal and will guarantee fireworks, but the interim title attached to it is odd, to say the least. Makhachev fought two months ago, at UFC 330 in August. Interim titles are meant for when a champion is injured or severely inactive; Makhachev fits neither category.
Sure, he’s not the most active, fighting about once every nine months. That said, Makhachev isn’t holding up the division by any means, which makes the interim title feel cheap here.
Makhachev has received a ton of criticism since the booking; some of it is warranted. After UFC 330, Makhachev was adamant that he wanted to fight before Ramadan, staying active since he’s not getting any younger.
Now he’s opting to wait until after Ramadan, which goes against what he said just months ago. The inconsistency in his timeline is especially notable here.
Speaking on Friday, Makhachev defended his patience and explained why Carlos Prates and Michael Morales need to fight before he returns.
Islam Makhachev on next fight: “one of the last”
On Friday, Makhachev took to X to speak on his career and why Prates and Morales are fighting. The welterweight champion’s quote is as follows.
“My next fight is one of the last in my career. They say Prates is too dangerous for me and Morales is too good for me. So I want to face the best of them and prove to the world once again who is the best in world.”
The quote suggests that Makhachev doesn’t feel either fighter deserves a title shot right now. If that is his notion, then it’s clearly wrong; Prates has knocked out his last three opponents, two of them former champions.
Morales just beat Sean Brady, who was ranked No. 1 at the time, but his win streak isn’t filled with big names like Prates’ is.
The weirdest part about all of this is that Makhachev could’ve just fought both Prates and Morales. Prates would’ve been in January, and then Makhachev could’ve come back in October or November to face Morales. Now one of these contenders may never face Makhachev.
Regardless, Makhachev is waiting and knows his time is limited. The question now is how much longer he will fight.
Islam Makhachev has 3 fights left at most
In his last fight, Makhachev set a UFC record, with the longest winning streak in promotion history. The win over Ian Machado Garry marked Makhachev’s 17th straight win, and he’s said that 17 won’t be enough.
“17, it’s not going to be enough. I will be sure nobody going to break my record. It’s going to be 20 minimum.”
That quote was from the pre-fight press conference at UFC 330. Makhachev’s most recent quote suggests that three fights may be a long shot.
His next fight won’t be his last, but after Makhachev faces either Prates or Morales, the clock starts ticking. Now a double champion, Makhachev is easily one of the five greatest fighters ever; now it’s about adding to that legacy.
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