Dana White Blasts Islam Makhachev Over Title Inactivity

Dana White says Islam Makhachev was supposed to defend his UFC welterweight title in January but now wants to wait until after Ramadan to return, and the UFC boss is not happy about it.

The comments came after the promotion booked Carlos Prates against Michael Morales for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336. Putting an interim belt on the line is usually a sign the champion is not expected back soon, and the delay lines up with what White said about Makhachev's plans shifting.

Why Is Dana White Upset With Islam Makhachev?

White's frustration centers on a timeline that kept moving. Dana White claims Islam Makhachev was initially set to defend his Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title in January, but now wants to return after Ramadan next year. Ramadan shifts earlier each year on the Islamic lunar calendar, and fighters who observe it often build camps around it. For White, who has to build cards and sell pay-per-views, an open-ended delay from the champion of a stacked division is a real problem, not a minor scheduling footnote.

What the Interim Title Fight Means

Carlos Prates and Michael Morales will now fight for interim welterweight gold at UFC 336, a booking that exists specifically because Makhachev is not available in the near term. Interim titles are the UFC's standard fix when a champion is hurt, tied up, or otherwise out of action for an extended stretch, and they set up an eventual unification bout once the real champion returns. Whoever wins between Prates and Morales figures to be first in line for Makhachev once he is back in the cage.

Betting Angle

The interim fight instantly becomes the most important welterweight betting event on the calendar, since the winner is positioned to challenge Makhachev whenever he returns. Expect bettors to treat Prates vs. Morales less like a one-off and more like a title eliminator with real championship stakes attached. As for Makhachev's own title future, extended inactivity tends to add uncertainty for oddsmakers too. A longer layoff means more questions about ring rust and timing once he does step back in against a fresh, motivated challenger at 170 pounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Dana White upset with Islam Makhachev?

Dana White said Islam Makhachev was originally scheduled to defend his UFC welterweight title in January but now wants to return after Ramadan, and White has criticized the delay.

Who is fighting for the interim UFC welterweight title at UFC 336?

Carlos Prates will face Michael Morales for the interim UFC welterweight title at UFC 336 while champion Islam Makhachev remains sidelined.

Is Islam Makhachev still the UFC welterweight champion?

Yes, Islam Makhachev remains the UFC welterweight champion; the interim title fight between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales is being held because he is not immediately available to defend it.