Makhachev Rejects Fight Against Prates: Morales to Battle for the Interim Title

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Makhachev Rejects Fight Against Prates: Morales to Battle for the Interim Title.

The UFC had originally planned an Islam Makhachev title defense against Carlos Prates for January 30 in Toronto. At that time, ABC.es reported that the Brazilian was being considered as an opponent. Then came a last-minute change: Prates and Michael Morales are now expected to fight for the interim title.

For you as an MMA fan, this means the actual title fight is temporarily on the back burner, with a place at the top being contested between two potential challengers. Makhachev himself did not cite a specific injury or date to explain his refusal, instead saying he believed Prates was not the right opponent for him at this time.

Why Makhachev Will Not Challenge Prates

Makhachev is primarily questioning Prates' latest result. Prates most recently lost to Ian Machado Garry. Makhachev defeated Garry himself. According to ABC.es, the champion sees this as an argument against a direct fight: In his assessment, an opponent who has just lost to Garry is not the right challenger for his next title defense.

The UFC's Matchup

Rather than have Makhachev face Prates immediately, the UFC wants to have the Ecuadorian Michael Morales fight Prates first, according to the source. Morales is thus waiting for his chance at the title and is expected to use the bout against Prates to move ahead of Makhachev in the queue.

“I was offered a fight against Prates, who recently lost to Ian Garry — someone I defeated. If I beat him, Morales would be next in line, and he isn't fighting right now, waiting for a title opportunity. Just let them fight each other, and we'll find out who the real challenger is.”

According to ABC.es, the winner of the interim bout will then become Makhachev's next opponent. As a result, the fight between Prates and Morales would not only be for the interim title, but also for the right to position himself as a challenger to the champion.

Prates vs. Morales: Two Paths to the Title

Carlos Prates is under pressure following his loss to Ian Garry. A victory over Morales would therefore be a direct attempt to return to the UFC title picture. Depending on the outcome, he could face Makhachev next.

Michael Morales, meanwhile, is waiting for an opportunity to compete for the title himself, according to the source. A victory over Prates would not only earn the Ecuadorian the interim title but also strengthen his position as a potential next challenger to Makhachev.

For the UFC, this matchup makes sense: The winner of the interim fight receives an additional opportunity to prove himself before facing the champion. At the same time, it creates a clear plan for the next major fight in the 170-pound division.

What the Financial Rumors Surrounding Makhachev's Decision Mean

There have already been differing interpretations of the reasons for the rejected fight against Prates. ABC.es reports that rumors about Makhachev's financial demands had been circulating beforehand. However, the source primarily confirms his public reasoning: He does not consider Prates the right opponent and wants him to face Morales first.

The decisive issue is therefore not the presumed dispute over the purse, but the order in the welterweight division cited by Makhachev himself. The champion is making it clear that the path to his next title fight should run through the bout between the two challengers.

January 30 in Toronto Becomes a Turning Point

With the decision, the tension in the welterweight division shifts to a different fight: Prates and Morales will meet in Toronto for the interim title. According to ABC.es, the winner will become the next challenger for Makhachev.

For fans, this is a clear test: Who can prove himself after the fight against Prates? And can Makhachev defend his title against the winner, or did his refusal to fight Prates have another reason that has not yet been made public?

What unfolds after January 30 in Toronto will reshape the UFC title picture. For now, only one thing is certain: Makhachev will not face Prates that night. For Prates and Morales, there is more at stake than a single title — they are competing for the direct path to the champion.