Update: Ariel Helwani reports Makhachev vs. Prates is no longer the UFC 336 target; date doesn't work for Makhachev
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev will reportedly not return at UFC 336 in Toronto in January, according to an Ag. Fight report cited by BJPenn.com. The UFC has not confirmed the report and had not announced any fights for the card.
Makhachev had been widely expected to defend against Carlos Prates next, and the matchup had been rumored online to headline the promotion's return to Scotiabank Arena. UFC matchmakers are reportedly working on booking a new main event.
BJPenn.com noted that Makhachev typically doesn't fight during Ramadan, and that his manager said earlier this week the Prates fight "isn't close" to being finalized. Makhachev last fought at UFC 330, where he defended the title against Ian Machado Garry.
Makhachev had been widely expected to defend against Carlos Prates next, and the matchup had been rumored online to headline the promotion's return to Scotiabank Arena. UFC matchmakers are reportedly working on booking a new main event.
BJPenn.com noted that Makhachev typically doesn't fight during Ramadan, and that his manager said earlier this week the Prates fight "isn't close" to being finalized. Makhachev last fought at UFC 330, where he defended the title against Ian Machado Garry.
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- BJPenn.com | https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/islam-makhachev/islam-makhachev-carlos-prates-ufc-336-fight-scratched/
Bloody Elbow | https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/10/23/dana-white-gives-tight-lipped-reaction-to-reportedly-cancelled-plans-for-islam-makhachev/
Yahoo Sports MMA / Uncrowned | https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/islam-makhachev-reportedly-ufc-336-024527579.html
Heavy on UFC | https://heavy.com/sports/ufc/dana-white-reacts-ufc-336-off/
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/shavkat-rakhmonov-training-clip-drops-just-as-ufc-336-loses-its-main-event
MMA Fanatik Slovakia | https://sport.aktuality.sk/mma-fanatik/zakulisne-zdroje-hovoria-o-obrovskej-pohrome-pre-ufc-vedenie-narychlo-zachranuje-hlavny-zapas/
Source: BJPenn.com , Bloody Elbow , Yahoo Sports MMA / Uncrowned , Heavy on UFC , Knockout Daily , MMA Fanatik Slovakia
Summarized with AI from the source above. Read the original for the full story.
Is this story accurate?
Story so far · 2 updates
- Oct 24, 2026 Ariel Helwani reports Makhachev vs. Prates is no longer the UFC 336 target; date doesn't work for Makhachev (Knockout Daily)
- Oct 24, 2026 Dana White calls Makhachev UFC 336 report 'interesting' without confirming or denying it (Yahoo Sports MMA / Uncrowned)