Makhachev Backs Interim Title Fight, Questions Prates and Morales Credentials
Islam Makhachev defends his decision to sit out UFC 336, backing the Prates vs. Morales interim bout to determine his next challenger.
Islam Makhachev has broken his silence on the UFC's decision to create an interim welterweight title, backing the Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales matchup at UFC 336 while questioning whether either man has truly earned a shot at him.
Makhachev (29-1) was expected to defend his welterweight title against Prates in January, but the UFC instead booked Prates against Morales for an interim belt. Dana White publicly ripped Makhachev's inactivity, but the champion is not losing sleep over it.
"Prates and Morales will fight to determine who is a true worthy contender," Makhachev told Pound4Padel. "I will fight the winner."
Makhachev pointed to Prates' loss to Ian Garry as evidence that the Brazilian's credentials are not airtight. Makhachev beat Garry in August, and the implication was clear: if Prates could not handle Garry, what business does he have calling out the champion?
Prates (24-7) has answered that loss emphatically, Sherdog reports, finishing Geoff Neal, Leon Edwards, and Jack Della Maddalena in consecutive bouts. Morales (19-0) is undefeated and most recently stopped Sean Brady, but has not fought since November 2025. Makhachev questioned whether Morales deserves a title shot without another bout under his belt.
"Just let them fight and we will figure out who is the real challenger," Makhachev said.
The champion appears content to wait for the interim winner rather than risk his belt against a fighter he considers unproven at the highest level.
Makhachev is doing the same thing every dominant champion does: he is picking his spot, controlling the timeline, and making everybody else prove they belong. And you know what? He has earned that right. The man beat Garry, beat everybody at 155, and moved up to take the welterweight belt. He does not owe anybody an accelerated timeline.
But here is the thing. Prates finished Leon Edwards and Jack Della Maddalena back to back. That is not a guy who needs to prove anything to anyone. If Makhachev is ducking Prates by making him fight Morales first, the fans will remember that. And if Prates runs through Morales the way I think he will, there will be nowhere left to hide.
Let them fight. But Makhachev better be ready when the winner comes calling, because the UFC is not going to let him sit forever.
KEEP TALKING FIGHTS.
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