Makhachev vs. Prates reportedly off UFC 336: what is confirmed and what comes next

Is Makhachev vs. Prates off UFC 336? According to a report by Ariel Helwani, yes: the welterweight title fight between champion Islam Makhachev and No. 1 contender Carlos Prates is no longer the target for UFC 336 on 30 January 2027 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The UFC has not announced any change, and no new main event has been named.

What was reported about Makhachev and UFC 336

Helwani reported on 23 October, citing sources, that the date "doesn't work for Makhachev anymore" and that the reason is unclear, according to Yahoo Sports. theScore, which also credited Helwani, wrote that it is unclear what matchup will headline UFC 336 instead. Yahoo Sports said the Brazilian outlet Ag Fight had broken the news first, and that Ag Fight reported the UFC is exploring other options for the card.

Makhachev vs. Prates had been the expected main event for the Toronto card, and the matchup had been discussed on social media the week before, according to theScore.

What is confirmed and what is not

Confirmed: UFC 336 is scheduled for 30 January 2027 in Toronto. Not confirmed: that Makhachev is out, why, and who might replace him. Everything about the change comes from reports, not from the UFC or either fighter.

Dana White neither confirmed nor denied it. Yahoo Sports reported that he called the report "interesting" with a smile while speaking on Nina Stream's Kick stream. Yahoo also noted that earlier reports from Alvaro Colmenero had suggested the fight was on track, and that Prates had signed a new eight-fight UFC contract.

Where Prates and the welterweight top stand

Makhachev (29-1) made his first welterweight title defence at UFC 330 on 15 August, beating Ian Machado Garry by decision after five rounds. He is also ranked No. 1 in the UFC pound-for-pound list, according to our database.

Prates (24-7) is ranked No. 1 at welterweight. He has won three in a row: a first-round knockout of Geoff Neal at UFC 319, a second-round TKO of Leon Edwards at UFC 322, and a third-round TKO of Jack Della Maddalena on 2 May. Nineteen of his 24 wins have come by knockout or TKO.

Michael Morales (19-0) is ranked No. 3 and is unbeaten. Yahoo Sports reported that he was Makhachev's backup for the UFC 330 fight.

The possible paths

Yahoo Sports noted that Ramadan begins on 8 February. If Makhachev's return slips past January, that could push his next fight beyond that period, though the outlet did not say this is the plan. His next date has not been reported.

Yahoo Sports also suggested the UFC could book Prates against Morales for an interim welterweight title if Makhachev stays unavailable. That is speculation by the outlet, not a reported decision. The UFC has not said who will headline UFC 336, or whether Prates will fight on the card at all.

For readers following the division, the answer to "when could Makhachev fight next?" is therefore open. Nothing has been reported beyond the January date no longer working, and the champion has not commented in the sources we read. For Prates, the position is clear on paper: he is the top-ranked contender in the division, he has stopped Edwards and Della Maddalena on his way here, and Yahoo Sports reports he has signed a new eight-fight deal. What is not clear is when he gets his title shot. Our welterweight rankings will be updated as the UFC confirms any change.

Until the promotion speaks, the picture is simple: a report says Makhachev vs. Prates is off for 30 January, the UFC has not confirmed it, and the main event of UFC 336 is open.

Sources

• theScore
• Yahoo Sports