UFC books interim title fight after Makhachev plan falls through

The UFC has replaced Islam Makhachev’s proposed January title fight against Carlos Prates with an interim welterweight championship bout between Prates and Michael Morales at UFC 336. The matchup between Makhachev and Prates was never officially announced, and the reason it did not proceed has not been explained in detail by the champion or the promotion. The UFC announced the Prates-Morales bout during the UFC 333 broadcast. It is scheduled for January 30 in Toronto, where the fighters will compete for the interim title. The change leaves Makhachev’s next title defense unconfirmed. At the UFC 333 post-event press conference, UFC CEO Dana White said Makhachev had been slated to fight in January but wanted to wait until after Ramadan. White said the champion fights about once a year and argued that the division could not be held up while he waited. Asked whether Makhachev had provided a reason for not fighting at UFC 336, White replied, “No reason.” White’s remarks are his account of the scheduling. A detailed explanation from Makhachev or the UFC has not been made public, and the reports of a planned Makhachev-Prates fight did not amount to an official announcement....