Report: Islam Makhachev to Defend Welterweight Title Against Carlos Prates at UFC 336 in Toronto

Reports from MMA journalist Álvaro Colmenero say welterweight champion Islam Makhachev will make his second title defense against Carlos Prates, headlining UFC 336 in Toronto on January 30, 2027.

Report: Islam Makhachev to Defend Welterweight Title Against Carlos Prates at UFC 336 in Toronto

The welterweight division may have its next blockbuster. According to MMA reporter Álvaro Colmenero, Islam Makhachev is close to booking the second defense of his 170-pound crown, with Brazilian contender Carlos Prates lined up as the challenger in the main event of UFC 336 on January 30, 2027, in Toronto, Canada. The UFC has not officially confirmed the bout.

Makhachev, 34, conquered the welterweight division by outpointing Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last November, then turned back Ian Machado Garry over five rounds at UFC 330 in August for his first successful defense. Before that, the former longtime lightweight king set the UFC record for the most successful lightweight title defenses.

Prates has stormed into contention with three straight knockout wins, most recently stopping former champion Della Maddalena, and says the UFC promised him the next shot after also finishing Geoff Neal and Leon Edwards. Makhachev had previously suggested Prates face Michael Morales first, but the calendar has aligned: the champion wants to fight before Ramadan, which is expected to begin around February 8, 2027.

A second straight win would extend one of the most dominant two-division reigns in UFC history; a Prates upset would detonate the division. Until the contracts are signed it stays in the reported column — but all signs point to Toronto.