“I Think It’s Money” – Dana White Weighs In on Islam Makhachev’s UFC 336 Withdrawal
Last month, the UFC welterweight title picture took an unexpected turn when Carlos Prates was booked to face Michael Morales for the interim championship at UFC 336. The two will meet in the co-main event when the promotion heads to Toronto on January 30.
Prates was initially expected to challenge Islam Makhachev for the undisputed title, but that matchup is now off the table. The Dagestani reportedly pulled out of negotiations, insisting that the UFC first determine the division’s No. 1 contender through a fight between Prates and Morales. He also maintained that he wanted to face the best possible challengers.
Makhachev even hinted that his next outing could mark the beginning of the end of his career, suggesting that he only has a few fights left. With the interim title fight now set for January, the champion is expected to face its winner sometime in mid-2027.
Amid all this, Dana White, who previously slammed Makhachev for holding up the division, has weighed in on the controversy once again.
Dana White Wants UFC Champions to Defend Their Titles at Least Twice a Year
During a recent interview with The Mac Life, White revealed that Makhachev had verbally agreed to fight Prates at UFC 336 before changing his mind.
He said, “Yeah, it was verbally agreed to. Whenever I told you [is when he pulled out].”
The UFC CEO then discussed how elite champions approach their careers once they reach the top. While acknowledging that fighters at Makhachev’s level have earned the right to make their own decisions, White admitted he would prefer to see them compete more often.
He said, “I think when you get to a position where he’s at and what he’s accomplished, who knows what he’s thinking or what he wants to do next? But, obviously, I like when guys fight a lot. Being the champ, I don’t really expect you to fight three times a year, but twice would be nice.”
White also pointed out how lengthy breaks between title defenses can affect the rest of the division. The UFC CEO added, “What you start to do is back up the division, because lots of guys would like a shot at the title.”
😬🏆 Dana White revealed that Islam Makhachev verbally agreed to fight Carlos Prates before eventually pulling due to unknown reasons.
“Yeah, it was verbally agreed. I like when guys fight a lot, being the champ I’m not expecting you to fight 3 times a year but twice would be nice”
(via Mac Life)
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 4, 2026
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As mentioned earlier, Makhachev’s main argument has been that the UFC needs to establish who the real No. 1 contender is between Prates and Morales. However, White believes there may be another factor behind the champion’s decision: money.
He said, “I think it’s money. Once you get so much money — when guys are young and hungry, they want to fight a lot because they want to get paid. But once you start to get enough money, you don’t have to fight all the time.”
He concluded with, “And for him, to be fair to Islam, look at what he’s accomplished.”
Throughout 2026, several of the UFC’s biggest stars have taken their time between appearances, choosing their own schedules even when it means slowing down their respective divisions.
Ilia Topuria, for instance, has fought just once in both 2025 and 2026. Khamzat Chimaev has followed a similar pattern, stepping into the Octagon only once in each of those years.
Makhachev, meanwhile, fought twice in 2025. He first defended his lightweight championship against Renato Moicano at UFC 311 before moving up and defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 to capture the welterweight title.
However, his 2026 campaign has also featured just one appearance. Makhachev defended his 170-pound championship against Ian Garry at UFC 330, earning his first successful welterweight title defense and 17th consecutive Octagon victory.
Considering his plans to return after Ramadan, it looks like the champion could follow the same pattern in 2027, leaving the welterweight division waiting a little longer for its next undisputed title fight.