Islam Makhachev Withdraws from UFC 336, Suggests Title Contenders Face Off

Islam Makhachev has withdrawn from his scheduled title fight against Carlos Prates at UFC 336, prompting a shift in the welterweight title landscape. Instead of rescheduling, Makhachev suggested that Prates and Michael Morales face each other to establish who deserves a shot at his championship.

Makhachev's comments indicate a desire for the two contenders to settle the title picture themselves, potentially setting up a fight in January. Both fighters have made strong cases for a title shot, but Makhachev prefers to see them compete rather than choosing one over the other.

The champion's withdrawal raises questions about the timeline for his next fight, especially with Ramadan approaching on February 8. This situation could lead to the UFC considering an interim title fight if Makhachev remains unavailable for an extended period. As of now, Prates is left awaiting further clarity on his title aspirations.