Islam Makhachev’s decision to face the toughest available opponent has drawn support from his teammate. He has questioned Dana White’s stance on UFC champions calling their shots.
Josh Thomson weighed in on the situation after the UFC booked an interim welterweight title fight between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales for UFC 336 on January 30, 2027. The undisputed champion had declined the January date, preferring to return after Ramadan.
Thomson pointed to White’s previous comments about fighters earning the right to decide their next opponents. He took to X and wrote:
“We’ve heard Dana say, ‘He’s earned the right to call his shots.’ Does that not apply to the #1 P4P fighter Islam Makhachev? Islam wants to fight the best at the end of your career is something special. He’s literally taking the opposite approach of Jon Jones who’s Dana’s GOAT.”
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Check out Josh Thomson’s comments below:
Makhachev recently explained that his next fight could be among the final appearances of his career. He touched upon the arguments being made about Prates and Morales, with one considered too dangerous and the other too good, but said he wants to face the best of the two.
The UFC has moved ahead with the interim title fight to keep the division active while Makhachev waits for a later return.
Colby Covington questions UFC 336 interim title contenders while defending Islam Makhachev
Colby Covington has defended Islam Makhachev amid criticism over his decision to skip the UFC’s January 2027 date. He argued that Carlos Prates and Michael Morales have not earned an interim title opportunity.
The UFC booked the two contenders to fight for the interim welterweight championship at UFC 336 after Makhachev declined the proposed date. Covington believes the champion should be given time to return after Ramadan.
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, he said:
“I was surprised. I thought he just fought two or three months ago. I thought he just had a title defense. Give him a little time to get through Ramadan. The January date for him didn’t work out. Give him some time to fight after Ramadan. Those guys aren’t worthy to be fighting for an interim title.”
He added:
“What have those guys done? Michael Morales has fought nobody. He’s been tested by nobody. He’s had an impressive win streak and some nice showcasing wins, but he hasn’t had a premier marquee matchup, a main event shot with an ex-champ or a title challenger. So I don’t think that deserves to be an interim title, but that’s why the UFC and Hunter Campbell are so great at what they do, and they see something and they know something. That’ll be an all-striking battle, and I think someone will get knocked out for sure.”
Edited by Abhishek Nambiar
