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'Coward': Prates explodes at Makhachev, Dana White loses patience… and Morales rubs his hands

The welterweight champion pulled out of UFC 336 and the war of words hasn't stopped: Dana White says he fights once a year, Prates calls him a coward and Makhachev fires back. Here's how the Toronto card looks now.

By Equipo La Jaula Props · October 27, 2026 · 2 min read

Photos: Administración del Jefe de la República de Daguestán, CC BY 3.0 · Sexto Round, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons, cropped)

Islam Makhachev was supposed to defend the welterweight title against Carlos Prates on January 30, 2027 at UFC 336 in Toronto. He won't. On October 23, Brazilian outlet Ag Fight and reporter Ariel Helwani revealed the champion had pulled out, and the controversy has only grown since.

Dana White doesn't hold back

After UFC 333, the UFC boss was blunt. He said Makhachev fights roughly once a year, that he was slated for January and then said he didn't want to fight until after Ramadan, which in 2027 runs from February 8 to March 8. His verdict: "You can't hold up divisions like this. You gotta keep moving." That's why the UFC created an interim title.

Prates: 'Coward'

The Brazilian didn't take it well. He said he'll knock out Michael Morales and then come back to retire Makhachev, calling him a "coward". He also accused him of saying he couldn't be ready to fight in three months.

Makhachev fires back

The champion replied harshly on X: "I just beat the guy who chased you around the Octagon for five rounds. Shut up and go train. You're not on my level. See you soon." He was referring to Ian Machado Garry, whom he beat by unanimous decision at UFC 330 in August and who had previously beaten Prates.

In a later interview he explained his decision: fighting someone who recently lost to an opponent he already beat "does not make sense". And he added something that matters a lot in Ecuador: if he beat Prates, Morales would be next in line anyway. "Just let them fight, and we will figure out who's the real challenger."

Not everyone is critical

Henry Cejudo, a former two-division UFC champion, backed him on his podcast: he said Makhachev is right on this one and that Morales vs. Prates is a main event on its own.

How UFC 336 looks now

Date and venue: Saturday, January 30, 2027, Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.
Main event: Joshua Van (champion) vs. Manel Kape for the flyweight title.
Co-main event: Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales for the interim welterweight title.
The Morales vs. Prates winner will then face Makhachev to unify the belts.

Fear or strategy?

Makhachev, 29-1 and a two-division champion, has nothing to prove about his courage, but fighting so rarely doesn't help his image. What's certain is that his decision has handed Morales, unbeaten at 19-0, the opportunity of a lifetime.

Frequently asked questions

Why isn't Makhachev fighting at UFC 336?

According to Dana White, he didn't want to fight until after Ramadan (February 8 to March 8, 2027). Makhachev said fighting Prates made no sense because Prates recently lost to Ian Machado Garry, whom he already beat.

Who called Makhachev a coward?

Carlos Prates, after losing his title shot. He said he'll knock out Michael Morales and then come back to retire Makhachev.

How did Makhachev respond to Prates?

On X he said he had just beaten the man who chased Prates for five rounds, told him to shut up and train, and said he's not on his level.

What did Dana White say about Makhachev?

That he fights roughly once a year and that "you can't hold up divisions like this." That's why the UFC created an interim welterweight title.

What is the UFC 336 main event?

Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape for the flyweight title. The co-main event is Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales for the interim welterweight title.

When and where is UFC 336?

Saturday, January 30, 2027 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.

When will Makhachev fight again?

There's no date. He's expected to return after Ramadan 2027, against the winner of Morales vs. Prates.

Sources