Makhachev ghosted UFC on title fight, Prates’ manager claims

Islam Makhachev gave UFC no reason for January exit, Prates' manager says.

Carlos Prates’ manager, Lucas Lutkus, told MMA Fighting that Makhachev declined a proposed January title defense against the Brazilian without explaining his decision to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Prates was expected to challenge Makhachev for the undisputed welterweight championship at UFC 336 on Jan. 30, 2027, in Toronto.

Instead, he will face Michael Morales for the interim title.

Lutkus says the UFC was frustrated after Islam Makhachev declined a proposed Carlos Prates title fight.

Speaking to MMA Fighting, Lutkus said the UFC had told Prates’ team to prepare for Makhachev and that the Brazilian immediately accepted.

“Islam said at the press conference that he wanted to fight before Ramadan,” Lutkus said.

“And the UFC had already told us that the plan was to have this fight at the first numbered event in January. ‘Get ready for that date.’”

Lutkus said the UFC later informed him that Makhachev would not be ready for January.

“The UFC called me last Tuesday and said, ‘Islam is out,’” Lutkus said.

“I asked if it was an injury, and they said Islam hadn’t given them a reason. He had only said he wouldn’t be ready for January.”

The change caught Prates’ camp off guard, Lutkus said, particularly after Makhachev had publicly expressed a desire to fight before Ramadan and indicated that Prates deserved a title shot.

“I don’t think even the UFC really knows what happened,” Lutkus said.

“Anyway, something made him change his mind. I’m not naive enough to think Islam Makhachev is afraid to fight Carlos Prates, but something made him change his mind.”

Lutkus also said the promotion was unhappy with Makhachev’s decision.

“The UFC doesn’t know either, and that’s why they were a little upset with Islam,” Lutkus said.

Makhachev is the reigning UFC welterweight champion and the pound-for-pound king.

He has won 17 straight fights since his only loss, a knockout defeat to Adriano Martins in 2016.

That streak set a new record for most consecutive victories in UFC history.

Prates, meanwhile, has won all of his UFC fights by knockout.

His undefeated UFC run was ended by Ian Machado Garry in 2025.

Now Prates faces Michael Morales — also undefeated in the UFC — for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336.

The winner is expected to unify the belts with Makhachev later in 2027.

Prates has already said he plans to knock out Morales and then send Makhachev “to the shadow realm.”

In an exclusive interview with LowKick MMA, Prates was asked how he would dethrone Makhachev.

“I think it’s not different from what I normally do,” Prates said.

“Just working on the takedown defence, how to get up in the right way, keep striking. No secret.”

“What’s the deciding factor against Islam? I think my knockout power and the way I like to hurt my opponents also.”

Makhachev has not publicly commented on the withdrawal or on Prates’ recent statements.

The UFC has not issued an official statement about Makhachev’s decision.