LAS VEGAS – Islam Makhachev isn't fighting as expected at UFC 336 in January, but Dana White is remaining calm.
Sometimes critical of fighters' inactivity, White took a different approach when asked Wednesday about Makhachev's decision to wait for the winner of Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales.
"I think when you get to a position where he's at and what he accomplished, who knows what he's thinking or what he wants to do next," White told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a media event promoting his bull Playmate. "Obviously, I like when guys fight a lot. Being the champ, I don't really expect you to fight three times a year. But twice would be nice. What it starts to do is back up the division. There are lots of guys who would like a shot at the title."
In 2026, several of the UFC's biggest stars seem to take their time between fights and return under their own timeline terms, even if it causes divisional congestion. While White would like to see the likes of Makhachev (29-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC), Khamzat Chimaev, and Ilia Topuria compete more often, he also understands why they do not.
"I think it's money – once you get so much money," White said. "When guys are young and hungry, they want to fight a lot because they want to get paid. Once you start to get enough money, you don't have to fight all the time. And to be fair to Islam, look at what he's accomplished."
Makhachev, 35, most recently competed in August when he defeated Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision. The victory marked his first welterweight title defense and seventh-straight title fight victory. White confirmed Wednesday that Makhachev verbally agreed to fight at the Jan. 30 event in Toronto, but ultimately decided against the fight in the days prior to the promotion's UFC 333 event Oct. 24.
Makhachev has said he wants a clear-cut top contender and thinks Prates (24-7 MMA, 7-1 UFC) vs. Morales (19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will give him one.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dana White deciphers Islam Makhachev's pass on UFC 336
