Sports · Combat Sports · 5 hrs ago
Dana White says Makhachev gave no reason for UFC 336 withdrawal
Islam Makhachev withdrew from UFC 336, where he had been scheduled to headline.
UFC chief Dana White said Makhachev gave no reason for pulling out and said he wanted to wait until after Ramadan to fight.
White said Makhachev fights about once a year and the UFC could not let divisions stall.
The UFC booked Carlos Prates against Michael Morales for an interim welterweight title at the event in Toronto.
UFC 336 is scheduled for January 30, with Joshua Van also set to defend his flyweight title against Manel Kape.
The interim belt is meant to keep the welterweight division moving while Makhachev is unavailable.
Prates and Makhachev have traded insults, but no new date for a Makhachev fight was given.
Dana White said Islam Makhachev gave no reason for withdrawing from UFC 336.
White said Makhachev’s inactivity influenced the UFC’s decision to schedule an interim welterweight title fight.
Carlos Prates and Michael Morales will fight for the interim belt at UFC 336 in Toronto.
The event is scheduled for January 30, and Joshua Van will defend his flyweight title against Manel Kape.
White made the comments at a post-fight press conference after UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi.
- Who
- Dana White said Islam Makhachev gave no reason for withdrawing from UFC 336.
- What
- Makhachev withdrew from the card. The UFC announced an interim welterweight title fight between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales.
- When
- The withdrawal was earlier in the week before White’s post-fight comments at UFC 333. UFC 336 is scheduled for January 30.
- Where
- White spoke at a post-fight press conference in Abu Dhabi. UFC 336 is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada.
- Why
- White said Makhachev’s inactivity and the lack of a reason for his withdrawal influenced the decision to make an interim title fight.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Islam Makhachev withdrew from UFC 336.
White discussed the withdrawal at a post-fight press conference after UFC 333 and the UFC announced two title fights for UFC 336.
UFC 336 is scheduled to take place in Toronto, with a flyweight title fight and an interim welterweight title fight.
- Withdrawal
- Islam Makhachev withdrew from UFC 336
- White’s account
- Makhachev gave no reason for withdrawing
- Interim welterweight title
- Carlos Prates vs Michael Morales
- Flyweight title
- Joshua Van vs Manel Kape
- UFC 336 location
- Toronto, Canada
- UFC 336 date
- January 30
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What people are saying
On average, Islam fights like once a year
You can’t hold up divisions like this. You gotta keep moving.
No reason
I just beat the guy who chased you around the Octagon for five rounds
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🚨 Dana White says Islam Makhachev didn't give them a reason for not fighting in January 😬 "Islam fights like once a year. He was slated for January, and then said 'I don't want to fight until after Ramadan.' You can't hold up divisions like this. You gotta keep moving."