Islam Makhachev turns down UFC 324 bout. Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC welterweight champion and former lightweight king, has confirmed that he turned down an offer to fight at UFC 324 in January 2026, citing timing issues with preparation and training and is now eyeing a return later in the year, potentially even at the historic UFC event at the White House.
Makhachev made the revelation in a recent interview, explaining that the UFC approached him in early December with an offer to headline UFC 324 scheduled for January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but the quick turnaround didn’t align with his training schedule. Having only fought recently in November at UFC 322, where he defeated Jack Della Maddalena to capture the welterweight championship.
Makhachev said the timing simply didn’t make sense for another fight so soon
“I don’t know yet, but I was offered a fight in January, ” Makhachev said (Russian translation via Championship Rounds) “January, I think, is an impossible date because I had already been in camp for three months and they called me in December. They were like, ‘You’ll be fighting in January.’ I said it was already too late. I needed to leave for camp and be ready for January. I told them I definitely won’t fight in January.
“I think it will be after Ramadan for sure. April, May, June. If they want to wait and put it it at the White House, then I’ll wait. If not, then I can fight earlier.”
The UFC’s UFC 324 lineup has since been confirmed to feature Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for an interim lightweight title in the main event, with Kayla Harrison defending her bantamweight belt against Amanda Nunes on the same card.
According to Makhachev, the UFC did not specify who his potential opponent would have been on the UFC 324 card, but he speculated it may have been undefeated welterweight contender Michael Morales, who scored a highlight knockout at UFC 322.
“They didn’t tell me the name, but honestly, I think it was Morales,” Makhachev said. “That’s my opinion. They didn’t say the name, they just asked whether I would fight in January or not.” “I don’t think so,” Makhachev said. “That’s just my guess. I don’t know for sure and neither does my manager.”
For Islam Makhachev, turning down UFC 324 was less about avoidance and more about control, control over timing, preparation, and the legacy he continues to build. As one of the UFC’s most disciplined and dominant champions, Makhachev has shown that he is willing to wait for the right moment rather than rush into a fight that doesn’t align with his standards.
