It looks like Carlos Prates is next in line to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC welterweight title. Makhachev defended his belt against Ian Garry at UFC 330, winning a back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision and extending his UFC winning streak to 17 fights.
While Michael Morales served as the backup fighter for the main event, the UFC appears to have had other plans. Prates confirmed he was next in line to face Makhachev after signing a new eight-fight deal with the promotion.
Now, fans may finally have an idea of when the highly anticipated matchup could happen. According to MMA reporter Alvaro Colmenero, Makhachev could make his second welterweight title defense at UFC 336 in January 2027.
Islam Makhachev Could Defend His Welterweight Title Before Ramadan in 2027
Prates recently posted a video calling out Makhachev, claiming he is “wrestling’s worst nightmare.” Responding to the video on Twitter, Colmenero hinted that the Brazilian could get his shot as early as January 2027.
He wrote, “Prates can train hard now because, if the negotiations continue on their course, we’ll see the Brazilian fighting against Islam Makhachev next January 30 at #UFC336 in Toronto.”
Ya puede entrenar duro Prates porque, si las negociaciones siguen su curso, veremos al brasileño peleando contra Islam Makhachev el próximo 30 de enero en el #UFC336 en Toronto.
— Álvaro Colmenero (@KOlmeneroMMA) October 13, 2026
For the uninitiated, UFC 336 is reportedly being targeted for January 30, 2027, and could take place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada. However, neither the date nor the location has been officially confirmed by the promotion.
The timing would make sense, as Makhachev previously expressed his desire to return before Ramadan. The holy month is expected to begin around February 8, 2027, although the exact date will depend on the sighting of the moon.
That leaves the UFC with a relatively small window to book Makhachev’s next title defense in early 2027. Prates had previously called out the Dagestani champion for UFC 334 and UFC 335. However, with UFC 334’s lineup already confirmed and UFC 335 scheduled for December 12, the latter date might come too soon for Makhachev, who revealed some minor spinal issues after his title defense against Garry.
Meanwhile, Prates has been on a tear and has quickly established himself as one of the UFC’s most entertaining fighters. The 24-7 veteran has knocked out all seven of his UFC opponents, including former welterweight champions Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards in his last two outings.
If the matchup comes together, he will have a chance to prove whether he can live up to his bold claim against one of the sport’s best wrestlers.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
