Makhachev vs. Prates reportedly off UFC 336 Toronto card as Islam's date no longer works

A planned welterweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Carlos Prates is reportedly no longer targeted for UFC 336 in Toronto, with the date said to no longer work for the champion. The matchup was originally planned to headline the January 30 card, as first reported by Ariel Helwani. The report is not officially confirmed, and Toronto is said to remain the event's host city, leaving the main event in question.

Makhachev, 34, holds the welterweight belt with a 29-1 record. The Russian out of Eagles MMA most recently beat Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision in a five-round title fight at UFC 330 on August 15, 2026. That followed a unanimous decision over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November 2025 and a first-round submission of Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in January 2025. He lands 2.27 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy and averages 3.22 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Prates, 33, is ranked number two in the welterweight division with a 24-7 record. The Brazilian from Vale Top Team has won his three most recent recorded fights by knockout or TKO: Geoff Neal in round one at UFC 319, Leon Edwards in round two at UFC 322, and Della Maddalena in round three on May 2, 2026. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.

Why it matters

• The reported scrap removes a clear style clash: Prates averages 1.50 more significant strikes per minute than Makhachev, while Makhachev's 3.22 takedowns per 15 minutes dwarfs Prates' 0.21.
• Prates stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, an eight-inch edge over Makhachev's 70 inches, though both fighters are listed at 5'10" and 6'1" respectively, a three-inch height gap.
• With the January 30 headliner in doubt, the Toronto card needs a new main event, and it is unclear whether Prates would stay in the picture.

Neither fighter has publicly commented on the reported change, and no replacement main event has been announced.