Carlos Prates has accused UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev of “chickening out.” Following their planned title fight at UFC 336, it was replaced by an interim bout. Prates will now face undefeated Michael Morales for interim gold at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on January 30, 2027. The Brazilian said he had been studying and training for Makhachev before the UFC informed him of the change. He claimed that UFC executive Hunter Campbell had told him the January date was reserved for the champion.
Prates blasts Makhachev over his UFC decision
Carlos Prates told Brazilian journalist Laerte Viana, “So, the guy comes out saying he wants to be an active champion, and he wants to fight.” He added, “Hunter even said that date had been reserved for him, and then he just came out and said he didn’t want it. He chickened out.”
Prates said his immediate goal is to beat Michael Morales and claim the interim belt. He said, “I’m going to come back and beat Makhachev twice as badly as I was going to before, just so he learns his lesson and stops being such a coward.”
He also said the UFC was unhappy with Islam Makhachev’s indecision. He argued that a champion should vacate the belt if he does not want to defend it.
Makhachev’s return could stretch until May
Dana White said Islam Makhachev declined to fight in January because he did not want to compete until after Ramadan. Ramadan begins in February 2027, pushing the champion’s likely return to May or later.
White said the promotion could not hold up an entire division while waiting for Makhachev. The UFC therefore booked Prates vs. Morales for the interim 170-pound title.
Makhachev responded that Prates and Morales should settle who the real contender is. He added that he would fight the winner once the division had clarity.
Interim title winner eyes unification
Carlos Prates enters the bout at 24-7, with seven knockouts in eight UFC appearances. His only UFC defeat came against Ian Machado Garry in 2025.
He has since stopped Geoff Neal, Leon Edwards, and Jack Della Maddalena, with the latter two wins coming in his last two fights. Morales is 19-0 and 7-0 in the UFC. He has stopped Neil Magny, Gilbert Burns, and Sean Brady in consecutive first-round knockouts.
DraftKings lists Prates as a -175 favourite, with Morales at +145. The winner is expected to challenge Makhachev in a future unification bout.
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