{"id":944304,"date":"2026-10-28T19:46:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T19:46:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/944304\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T19:46:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T19:46:19","slug":"30-fight-ufc-veteran-blasts-ufc-for-making-interim-belt-in-islam-makhachevs-division","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/944304\/","title":{"rendered":"30-Fight UFC Veteran Blasts UFC for Making Interim Belt in Islam Makhachev’s Division"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not everyone in the MMA space is on board with the UFC\u2019s decision to create an interim welterweight belt for UFC 336. <\/p>\n

Scheduled to take place on January 30, UFC 336 will see the UFC return to Toronto\u2019s Scotiabank Arena for the first time since the city hosted UFC 297 back in 2024.<\/p>\n

That event closed out with Dricus du Plessis unseating reigning middleweight titleholder Sean Strickland <\/a>in the card\u2019s main event, and there will be two belts on the line when the UFC returns to Toronto for UFC 336. <\/p>\n

Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape Headines UFC 336<\/p>\n

In the card\u2019s main event, Joshua Van will attempt to defend his flyweight belt for the third time when he meets Manel Kape in a highly-anticipated grudge match<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"Joshua<\/p>\n

Joshua Van looks on before his flyweight title bout against Alexandre Pantoja (not pictured) during UFC 331 at Crypto.com Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The co-main event is also a tremendous matchup between top-ranked welterweight contenders Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, who both looked to be the obvious next options for UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev<\/a> after the UFC star defended his welterweight belt against Ian Machado Garry<\/a> at UFC 330.<\/p>\n

\"Islam<\/p>\n

Islam Makhachev (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Ian Machado Garry (blue gloves) in the welterweight title bout during UFC 330 at Xfinity Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

That first title defense of Makhachev\u2019s second championship reign only took place in August, but the UFC still elected to create an interim welterweight belt for the Prates vs. Morales matchup at UFC 336. <\/p>\n

Matt Brown Criticizes UFC for Creating Interim Welterweight Title<\/p>\n

The UFC doesn\u2019t often feel obligated to justify its decision to create interim belts, and this week retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown criticized the promotion for slapping an interim title on Prates vs. Morales. <\/p>\n

\"Carlos<\/p>\n

Carlos Prates (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Leon Edwards (not pictured) in the welterweight bout during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

\u201cInterim title? [Makhachev] just fought like less than two months ago,\u201d Brown said on Fighter vs. Writer<\/a>. \u201cWe don\u2019t need to do this. The interim title\u2019s not gonna mean anything. It\u2019s an amazing fight, right? Morales, Prates\u2026But, you\u2019re knocking off a contender. I\u2019d rather see Islam fight both of them \u2013 maybe that\u2019s not what Islam wants to do. I think he\u2019s kind of earned his keep there\u2026But, the last thing I like out of this is a f***ing interim title.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Bryan<\/p>\n

Bryan Barberena fights Matt Brown in a welterweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Nationwide Arena. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

A competitor on Season 7 of The Ultimate Fighter, Brown competed 30 times under the UFC banner between 2008 and 2023 and endeared himself to fans through a violent style that helped him produce a number of highlight-reel knockouts during his UFC career. <\/p>\n

Will Islam Makhachev Face Carlos Prates or Michael Morales After UFC 336?<\/p>\n

Already firmly established as an all-time great, a title unification bout with either Prates or Morales will only further strengthen Makhachev\u2019s case for GOAT status in both the UFC and MMA as a whole. <\/p>\n

\"Islam<\/p>\n

Islam Makhachev (blue gloves) celebrates after defeating Jack Della Maddalena (not pictured) by unanimous decision in the welterweight championship bout during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The 35-year-old successfully defended the UFC lightweight belt on four occasions before moving up to welterweight, where he unseated Jack Della Maddalena via dominant decision at UFC 322<\/a> before he defended his new belt against Machado Garry and extended his winning run to 17 fights. <\/p>\n

\"Michael<\/p>\n

Michael Morales (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Sean Brady (red gloves) in the welterweight bout during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Morales also heads into his interim title opportunity on a massive win streak thanks to a perfect 19-0 professional record that includes seven UFC victories, while Prates is coming off three-straight knockout victories and stopped former welterweight titleholders Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards<\/a> in his two most recent outings. <\/p>\n

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