RUMOR UFC 336: Makhachev reportedly out of Prates title fight, UFC seeks new headliner

Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev will not defend his title against Carlos Prates atop UFC 336, according to Brazilian outlet Ag Fight and Ariel Helwani. The bout was the UFC's plan for Toronto but was never signed or announced. "Date doesn't work for Makhachev anymore. Unclear why," Helwani wrote, adding that the UFC is looking elsewhere.

The timing matters because Makhachev typically does not fight during Ramadan, and he had reportedly been pushing to return before it begins. Missing January likely pushes his next defense back by several months, leaving Prates, who was told he was next, without a date.

Replacement ideas remain speculation. Heavy floated Prates against Michael Morales, possibly for an interim title, or against Shavkat Rakhmonov, who Heavy says is nearing a return from a two-year injury layoff; it also suggested Mike Malott, a Natalia Silva vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius rematch and Sean Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov. Knockout Daily noted that a Strickland-Imavov fight depends on Imavov's pay dispute with the UFC and that no source has reported a contract, date or talks involving Rakhmonov.