Makhachev Says Prates and Morales Should Settle Contender Spot Before He Fights Again

Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has explained why he is not rushing back into the cage, saying Carlos Prates and Michael Morales should fight each other to settle the next title shot before he defends again.

The comments follow Dana White's recent remark that Makhachev did not want to fight in January, which left many fans asking why. Makhachev's answer, as relayed in the story, is that Prates has just lost to Ian Garry, the man the champion himself beat most recently. If Makhachev then beat Prates, he argued, Morales would simply become the next contender. His view is that the two should fight it out to prove who the real number one contender is. Prates and Morales are booked for UFC 336, where they meet in the co-main event ahead of Joshua Van against Manel Kape.

Makhachev, 34, is 29-1 and holds the welterweight belt. The Russian from Eagles MMA most recently won a unanimous decision over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15, 2026, a five-round title fight. Before that he beat Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision at UFC 322 in November 2025 and submitted Renato Moicano in the first round 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 at welterweight with a 24-7 record. The Brazilian from Vale Top Team stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. His most recent recorded fight was a third-round KO/TKO of Jack Della Maddalena on May 2, 2026, and his recorded run shows three straight stoppage wins. The record as presented does not include the Garry defeat Makhachev cites.

Morales, 27, is ranked third and unbeaten at 19-0. The Ecuadorian from Entram Gym is six-foot-even with a 79-inch reach and the highest output of the three, landing 5.62 significant strikes per minute. His most recent recorded fight was a first-round KO/TKO of Sean Brady at UFC 322 in November 2025.

Why it matters

• The UFC 336 co-main event pits the number two and number three contenders against each other, so the winner has a strong claim to the next shot.
• Makhachev's position is that he should not have to choose between two rivals when one fight can settle it.
• Stylistically, Prates is a switch-stance striker with 0.21 takedowns per 15 minutes, while Morales is a higher-volume orthodox striker, 5.62 strikes per minute against 3.77.
• Morales is also the younger man by six years, 27 to 33.