Islam Makhachev is Holding the UFC Ransom

Islam Makhachev will now not fight until after Ramadan next year. On paper, he could potentially fight in March, but the likelihood of that is extremely slim, as he won't want to train during the religious period.

It was announced at UFC 333 that the UFC 336 co-main event will feature Carlos Prates vs Michael Morales across five rounds for the interim welterweight title. 

The positives of this fight are obvious. It's a fantastic fight; both men are going to get paid well, and the winner will have a guaranteed title shot next. The negatives, however, are all behind the scenes and don't paint the UFC in a good light, nor do they paint Islam Makhachev in a good light.

Why is Dana White being Bullied by Islam Makhachev?

Islam Makhachev is controlling his own UFC career. On some level, that's what we want to see. A fighter taking control of their own career, not being forced into fights and not only fighting because they're told to.

This is different, however. Makhachev was scheduled to return in January, and many believed this to be against Prates. No reason was actually given as to why Makhachev can't fight in Canada in January, only that he was now 'unable' to fight.

No injury given, no specific reason, just an apparent refusal to fight. 

He took to social media to suggest that he is sitting out and letting the division figure itself out and allow a true #1 contender to come to light. 

This shouldn't be the case. The champion of the UFC should face all and any challengers to their throne, not get to pick and choose who they fight.

But...Why?

Why is Dana White accepting this? If a fighter is turning down fights, the precedent should be set - Strip them. No fighter is bigger than the organisation.

The problem here is, Makhachev hasn't done anything wrong. If rumours and reports hadn't suggested that the welterweight champion was going to return in January, no one would be annoyed at him not fighting. 

The Russian is a fighter who doesn't fight very often. He averages two fights a year; however, as a welterweight, he fought in November 2025, defended the belt in August 2026 and now likely won't fight until May 2027. We as fans want to see the best fighters fight as regularly as possible.

For context, Joshua Van, the flyweight champion, had four fights in 2025, two in 2026 and will open 2027 with a headline fight against Manel Kape at UFC 336. 

Is it fair on Makhachev for him to be stripped?

Islam Makhachev shouldn't be stripped of his belt. He only competed in August and, although he's fit and ready to go (seemingly), he should be given some grace.

Carlos Ulberg has no return date and has been out of action since April. Kayla Harrison hasn't defended her belt since she won it in June 2025 (although she is scheduled to defend it next month). Mackenzie Dern defended her belt on the same card and isn't scheduled to fight yet... but no one is calling for her to get stripped.

Justin Gaethje won his 155lbs belt in June... and isn't scheduled yet.

The issue comes as rumours swirled that Makhachev would return, combined with his comments on social media appearing to suggest that he is sitting out and waiting for the next challenge. Nothing was confirmed, but still, it isn't a good look for fight fans.

If you're fit, fight... but the UFC aren't going to strip their P4P king who just happens to be