The UFC booked an interim welterweight title fight for UFC 336 on Jan. 30 in Toronto, matching Carlos Prates (24-7) with unbeaten Michael Morales (19-0) after Islam Makhachev told the promotion he could not make the January date.
UFC CEO Dana White voiced his frustration during the UFC 333 press conference, accusing the champion of holding up the division. Meanwhile, Prates cryptically claimed that he knew he was being avoided.
While Makhachev argues that the top contenders should settle the division’s order among themselves first, Henry Cejudo supports Makhachev’s decision, stating that Morales vs. Prates is a main-event caliber fight in its own right
Henry Cejudo Backs Islam Makhachev’s Call for Prates vs. Morales
Makhachev argued that the top welterweight contenders should settle the division’s hierarchy among themselves first. Since Ian Garry already defeated Prates in the past, the champion wants Prates to face the undefeated Morales — who is next in line for a title shot — to clearly establish a definitive number-one contender and build a better legacy for whoever wins.
Cejudo, the former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion, explained on the Pound 4 Pound show that he completely agrees with Makhachev’s recent matchmaking perspective. He praised the newly booked Morales vs. Prates interim title matchup, calling it a main-event caliber fight in its own right.
“Islam Makhachev is right on this one. I was thinking the same thing,” Cejudo remarked. “If I was Islam, I’d be like, these guys don’t fight each other. Let me fight the best dude.”
Henry Cejudo backs Islam Makhachev’s call for the welterweight contenders to fight each other and says Morales–Prates is a main event in its own right.
“Islam Makhachev is right on this one. I was thinking the same thing. If I was Islam, I’d be like, these guys don’t fight each other. Let me fight the best dude.”
via: @pound4poundshow
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 26, 2026
He views Makhachev’s stance as calculated matchmaking rather than ducking. However, what Makhachev has said recently differs from his previous comments when matchmakers were working to book a bout between him and Prates for January.
Initially, the champion called Prates the more deserving challenger, largely because Morales had been out of the cage. Morales has not competed since stopping Sean Brady at UFC 322 back in November 2025. Prates, 33, labeled himself Makhachev’s “worst nightmare” and later even threatened to retire the champion.
Amid this banter, the 35-year-old champion changed his mind, claiming he did not have enough time to properly prepare and recover before Ramadan. With Ramadan set to begin on Feb. 8, the champion’s return will likely slide into the spring.
White appeared openly frustrated by Makhachev’s decision not to compete at UFC 336, but Cejudo’s backing provides the champion with a highly respected promotional voice. Now, it remains to be seen who will win in January and earn the ultimate opportunity to try and snap Makhachev’s historic 17-fight winning streak.
