The UFC is officially returning to Toronto with a numbered event. During Saturday’s UFC Edmonton broadcast, the promotion announced that UFC 336 will take place at Scotiabank Arena on January 30, 2027.
The event will mark the UFC’s first trip to Toronto since January 2024, when Dricus du Plessis edged Sean Strickland via split decision in a middleweight title fight to capture the championship.
Although no official bouts have been announced for UFC 336, the card could feature a major welterweight showdown, potentially including a title fight. With several top contenders seemingly lining up for their next assignments, Toronto could be in for a stacked night of fights.
#UFC336 in Toronto could feature a sort of mini welterweight tournament on the main card. My idea:
Islam Makhachev vs. Carlos Prates
Michael Morales vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
Jack Della Maddalena/Belal Muhammad vs. Mike Malott
Plus Natalia Silva vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius 2.
Thoughts?— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) October 18, 2026
The welterweight division has one of the most competitive groups of contenders at the top, and UFC 336 could bring together six of its biggest names on the same card, with championship implications potentially at stake.
Islam Makhachev vs. Carlos Prates Could Headline UFC 336
The biggest rumored matchup is a welterweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Carlos Prates. According to MMA reporter Alvaro Colmenero, the Brazilian could get his shot at the champion as early as January 2027, with Makhachev potentially making his second title defense at UFC 336.
Prates recently posted a video calling out Makhachev and describing himself as “wrestling’s worst nightmare.” Colmenero responded to the callout on Twitter, suggesting that negotiations could be moving in the right direction.
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
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The proposed date would also fit Makhachev’s plans. The champion has previously spoken about wanting to return before Ramadan, which is expected to begin around February 8, 2027, depending on the moon sighting. A January 30 fight would give him an opportunity to compete before the holy month begins.
Michael Morales and Shavkat Rakhmonov Could Clash at UFC 336
Another potential welterweight matchup could pit undefeated contenders Michael Morales and Shavkat Rakhmonov against each other.
Speculation picked up after Morales posted a hype video calling out the Kazakh fighter. Rakhmonov then added fuel to the rumors on TikTok by sharing footage of himself preparing for a sparring session alongside the caption, “19-0 VS 19-0.”
The post quickly caught fans’ attention, and Dana White also appeared intrigued when asked about the potential matchup during a recent media interaction, responding with a knowing smile.
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A fight between the two would carry major implications for the division. With both fighters undefeated at 19-0, the winner could emerge as a leading contender for the welterweight title. If Makhachev faces Prates at UFC 336, the timing could also work out well for the winner of Morales vs. Rakhmonov to challenge the winner of the title fight in a subsequent matchup.
Mike Malott Could Get Another Major Test on Home Soil
Mike Malott is another name to watch after his impressive knockout victory over Joaquin Buckley in the UFC Edmonton main event. The Canadian delivered a devastating second-round knee to secure the biggest win of his recent run, putting himself in a strong position to pursue a top 10 or even a top 5 opponent.
With UFC 336 heading to Toronto, the promotion could look to give Malott another major opportunity in front of his home crowd. Potential opponents could include former welterweight champions like Belal Muhammad or Jack Della Maddalena, depending on how the division’s matchups develop.
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Neither fight has been confirmed, but a matchup against a top-10 or even top-five opponent would represent a significant step up for Malott following his win over Buckley.
With Makhachev vs. Prates potentially leading the card, Morales vs. Rakhmonov offering a clash between undefeated contenders, and Malott possibly getting another high-profile matchup, UFC 336 has the ingredients to become one of the promotion’s standout events of 2027.
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.
