Islam Makhachev opted not to fight Carlos Prates at UFC 336, and as a result, the promotion is introducing an interim title as the Brazilian now battles Michael Morales instead in January.
While Makhachev ultimately turned down a fight, he just defended his belt in August with a unanimous decision win over Ian Machado Garry, and he’s already stated that he’ll gladly face the winner of Prates vs. Morales after Ramadan concludes. But UFC CEO Dana White insisted that the division had to move forward with Makhachev absent, which is why an interim title is being introduced.
UFC legend Matt Brown understands the frustration but also defends Makhachev’s right to delay his return no matter how much it makes his bosses angry.
“He is in position being that he’s done such great things, I feel like he’s earned that right,” Brown said on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer. “I think he’s earned that right — I wouldn’t call it picking and choosing — if he was like ‘I don’t want to fight anybody’ for this amount of time. Again, this is where I’ve said this a thousand times, I wish there was some sort of standard. The UFC needs to make a standard — if you don’t defend for this long, we make an interim title. This happens in boxing all the time. This guy needs to this, I’m going to fight this guy, I want to fight this guy. This is just standard combat sports stuff.
“When you get to that level, you get a little bit more picky and choosy, as you should. I’m not going to hate on Islam being picky and choosy about this fight.”
As much as the UFC may have wanted Makhachev to return in January, he’s only been out of action for two months, and UFC 336 is still barely five months removed from his last title defense.
Sure but 336 was a WW belt title eliminator (now interim title which is same thing really)… so Islam won’t be facing the winner of that prob for at least 4 months after 336 - if winner isn’t injured, takes a 2 month break then goes straight back into an 8 week camp
Basically not fighting / defending for best part of 10 months
Nah, fuck Islam. Fighting once per year. He said after his last fight he would be fighting before Ramadan.
10 months is crazy. These guys if not hurt should be fighting twice per year. It’s not like they are making Zuffa boxing money. That’s my logic as a fan and wanting to see the best fights.
I also want to see Islam in the best shape and a full camp. If he thinks that’s too soon or his religion so be it. As much as I hate it.