With Islam Makhachev unavailable to compete in January, an interim welterweight title will come into play at UFC 336.
After weeks of unconfirmed rumors that Makhachev would defend his belt in the headliner of the Jan. 30 event at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto (Paramount+), the promotion has shifted gears and booked Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales for the interim strap.
The announcement for Prates (24-7 MMA, 7-1 UFC) vs. Morales (19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) at UFC 336 was made during Saturday's UFC 333 broadcast in Abu Dhabi.
#BREAKING: Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales for INTERIM gold headlines #UFC336 with Islam Makhachev unavailable 🏆 pic.twitter.com/RF4TiZbOpz
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 24, 2026
Prates, No. 4 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie welterweight rankings, has been red-hot
since his lone octagon loss to Ian Machado Garry in April 2025. The 33-year-old Brazilian has scored three straight knockout wins against former champions Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards, as well as Geoff Neal.
Morales, No. 2 in the latest rankings, hasn't competed since a November 2025 knockout of Sean Brady at UFC 322. The 27-year-old Ecuadorian is undefeated in MMA competition and has stopped his past three opponent – Brady, Gilbert Burns and Neil Magny – all inside the first round.
The UFC did not reveal why Makhachev (29-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC) was unavailable and when he would be expected to return and unify belts with the UFC 336 winner.
The latest UFC 336 lineup includes:
- Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales – for interim welterweight title
- Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape – for flyweight title
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 336: Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales set for interim belt with Islam Makhachev out
