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

Prates was expected to challenge Makhachev for the undisputed middleweight championship UFC 336 on January 30, 2027 in Toronto. Instead, he faces
Michael Morales for the intermediate title.

Lucas Lutkus says UFC disappointed after Islam Makhachov turned down Carlos Prates title fight

Speaking to MMA FightingLutkus said the UFC told Prates’ team to prepare for Makhachov, and the Brazilian immediately agreed.

“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 number one event in January. ‘Be ready for that date.'”

According to Lutkus, the UFC later informed him that Makhachov 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 just said he wasn’t ready for January.”

The change hit Prates’ camp hard, Lutkus said, especially after Makhachov had publicly expressed his desire to fight before Ramadan and made it clear that Prates deserved a title shot.

“I don’t think even the UFC knows what happened,” Lutkus said. “Anyway, something made him change his mind. I’m not naive enough to think that Islam Makhachov is afraid to fight Carlos Prates, but something made him change his mind.”

Lutkus also said that the promotion is not happy with Makhachev’s decision.

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