Reports Suggest Makhachev vs. Prates Being Discussed for UFC 336 in Toronto

A welterweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Carlos Prates is reportedly being discussed for UFC 336 in Toronto. The matchup has not been officially announced or confirmed, and no date or contract details have surfaced.

The card would mark the UFC's return to Toronto for the first time in nearly three years. A flyweight title bout between Joshua Van and Manel Kape has also been rumoured for the co-main event slot for some time, though that fight is likewise unconfirmed.

Makhachev, 34, is a Russian southpaw who fights out of Eagles MMA and carries a 29-1 record. He is listed as a champion at welterweight. His game is built on grappling: he averages 3.22 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.9 submission attempts, while landing 2.27 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.

Van, 25, is the flyweight champion and trains with 4oz. Fight Club. Born in Myanmar, the orthodox fighter is 18-2 and stands five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach. He lands 8.26 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy, a volume that sets him apart in his division.

Kape, 32, is the No. 2 ranked flyweight and fights out of Xtreme Couture. The Angolan southpaw is 23-7 and has a 68-inch reach. He lands 4.68 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.

Why it matters

• A Makhachev title defense against Prates would put a championship fight at the top of a Canadian card and give the welterweight division a marquee headliner.
• Van against Kape would pair a high-volume champion with the division's No. 2 contender, a clear title-fight setup.
• Both pairings remain talk rather than confirmed bouts, so the card could change before anything is made official.