With UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev down and out, matchmakers have booked an interim title fight between 170-pound contenders Carlos Prates and Michael Morales. The welterweight matchup will headline the upcoming UFC 336 card on Jan. 30 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The main event title fight was announced during today’s broadcast of UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi (results HERE).
Prates, who was originally expected to fight Makhachev at UFC 336, has been on an absolute tear of late. The Brazilian contender has turned in three-straight knockout finishes over the likes of former UFC welterweight champions Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards. Many believe Prates is the best knockout artist in MMA right now, but he’ll have to prove it again in a five-round matchup with Morales, who is undefeated at 19-0 (7-0 UFC).
UFC 336’s main card will also feature a co-headliner between reigning UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van and knockout specialist Manel Kape. Van is coming off a masterful title defense over flyweight great Alexandre Pantoja back at UFC 331, but he’ll make a quick turnaround in an attempt to win his third-straight title defense. Kape will try to spoil those plans as he puts a four-fight knockout streak on the line.
Let us know who you think will win both upcoming title fights at UFC 336!
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