The UFC welterweight division is full of DRAMA!🍿 Islam Makhachev pulls out of UFC 336, claiming there are too many contenders and insisting they settle who deserves the title shot. Carlos Prates and Michael Morales are already trading words, while Dana White isn’t happy with Islam’s delayed return. Who’s in the right here? 👀
Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has pulled out of UFC 336, saying the division has too many contenders and that they should settle among themselves who deserves the next title shot. The move comes as Carlos Prates and Michael Morales trade words publicly, and as UFC president Dana White is reportedly unhappy with how long Makhachev's return is taking.
Makhachev, 35, holds a 29-1 record and the 170-pound title. His most recent recorded fight was a unanimous decision win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15, 2026, a five-round title defense. Before that he beat Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision at UFC 322 and submitted Renato Moicano in the first round at UFC 311. The Russian averages 3.22 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 2.27 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
Prates, 33, is ranked second at welterweight with a 24-7 record. The Brazilian has finished his last three recorded opponents by KO 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 and stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach.
Morales, 27, is ranked third and unbeaten at 19-0. The Ecuadorian has stopped Neil Magny, Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady, all by first-round KO or TKO. His 5.62 significant strikes per minute is the highest output of the three fighters in this story, though his 49 percent accuracy is the lowest. He is six feet tall with a 79-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Two top-three contenders are now publicly feuding, which could push the UFC toward an elimination-style bout to decide the next challenger.
- The numbers set up a clear style contrast: Prates, 33, is a switch-stance striker with 0.21 takedowns per 15 minutes, while Morales, 27, is a high-volume orthodox striker averaging 1.09.
- Makhachev's withdrawal leaves the title picture unsettled, with White's reported frustration adding pressure on the champion's timeline.
Morales holds a two-inch reach edge over Prates, 79 inches to 78, while Prates is two inches taller.
Carlos Prates vs Michael Morales
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