Dana White Accuses Islam Makhachev of Holding Up Welterweight Division After UFC 336 Snub
UFC CEO Dana White has publicly criticized champion Islam Makhachev for withdrawing from a scheduled January title fight. White expressed frustration over the delay, arguing that such absences stall the progression of the welterweight division.
Why it matters
Illustrates the tension between athlete scheduling preferences and the operational requirements of professional sports leagues.
The welterweight title race has taken an unexpected turn, with Carlos Prates set to meet Michael Morales for the interim belt at UFC 336. The two will clash in the co-main event when the promotion heads to Toronto on January 30.
Prates was initially expected to challenge Islam Makhachev for the title, but that matchup is now off the table. Makhachev pulled out, explaining that he wouldn't have enough time to prepare with Ramadan starting just nine days after the event.
With several contenders vying for a shot at 170 pounds, Makhachev believes Prates and Morales should settle the pecking order themselves. However, Dana White wasn't pleased with how things played out and accused the champion of holding up the division. The UFC CEO made it clear that Makhachev shouldn't keep the welterweight title picture on hold while delaying his return.
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