Islam Makhachev has turned down a potential fight with Carlos Prates and wants the Brazilian to prove himself against Michael Morales before challenging for the UFC welterweight championship.
The UFC recently announced that Prates and Morales will fight for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336 in Toronto in January 2027. The announcement came after weeks of speculation that Makhachev would defend his undisputed title against Prates at the event.
However, the champion has now explained why he rejected the proposed matchup, arguing that Prates should not receive a title shot ahead of other deserving contenders.
Speaking in a video posted to his company Pound 4 Padel’s Instagram account, Makhachev confirmed that the UFC offered him a fight against Prates but said he preferred to let the Brazilian and Morales settle the title picture themselves.
“Prates and Morales will fight to determine who is a true worthy contender,” Makhachev said. “It’s good. They offered me a fight with Prates, who recently lost to someone I beat (Garry). And if I beat him, Morales would already be next in line (but he’s) not fighting and waiting (for a title shot). Just let them fight and we will figure out who’s the real challenger.”
UFC CEO Dana White previously revealed that Makhachev decided to delay his return until after Ramadan, leaving the promotion to book an interim title fight instead. The winner of Prates vs. Morales is expected to face Makhachev for the undisputed championship next year.
Makhachev’s decision comes two months after he defended his welterweight title for the first time against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. The Dagestani secured a narrow victory over Garry, who handed Prates his only UFC defeat in April 2025.
Prates bounced back from that loss with a knockout victory over Geoff Neal before stopping former welterweight champion Leon Edwards in November. He then continued his impressive run by knocking out former champion Jack Della Maddalena in Perth in May 2026.
Those victories strengthened Prates’ case for a title shot, but Makhachev believes the Brazilian should face Morales first to establish who deserves the next opportunity.
Morales, meanwhile, will get his chance to prove himself when the two contenders meet for the interim belt at UFC 336. The Ecuadorian has emerged as one of the division’s leading challengers, and a victory would put him in position to face Makhachev.
With the interim title fight now booked, the welterweight champion appears content to wait for the winner rather than rush into a matchup he does not believe is the fairest option.
