UFC Announces Interim Welterweight Title Fight Between Prates and Morales

UFC 333 viewers were surprised by the announcement of an interim welterweight title fight featuring Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, set for January 30 in Toronto at UFC 336. This matchup occurs without the reigning champion Islam Makhachev, who was initially expected to compete.

According to UFC president Dana White, Makhachev's decision to postpone his fight until after Ramadan, which begins in February, necessitated the interim bout. White emphasized the importance of keeping the divisions active and stated that Makhachev's infrequent fighting schedule, averaging once a year, contributed to this decision.

Prates, who holds a 7-1 record in the UFC since his debut in 2024, expressed his disappointment on social media regarding Makhachev's delay. He highlighted his achievements, including two victories over former champions, and declared his intention to defeat Morales and challenge Makhachev afterward.