Islam Makhachev's decision not to headline UFC 336 while he waits for a clearer picture of his next welterweight challenger is still causing a stir days later. President Dana White criticized the move, and division rivals piled on, but former champion Henry Cejudo took the opposite stance and backed Makhachev's call.

The champion's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, stepped in on social media to shield his fighter from the criticism, dismissing the rivals' comments as adding nothing to the conversation. Fighter Matt Brown also defended Makhachev publicly, while taking aim at the UFC for rolling out another interim belt in the division.

Adding fuel to the fire, fans have resurfaced an old Makhachev quote about what it means to be a champion, the same quote Dana White reportedly displayed while criticizing the decision.

With Makhachev stepping aside, the promotion has turned UFC 336's welterweight picture over to Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, who will fight for the interim welterweight title in the co-main event of UFC 336 on January 30, 2027. mmanews.com Prates, ranked number two in the division, is coming off a finish of Jack Della Maddalena by elbows in the third round this past May. Morales, ranked third, rates 1610 on our Elo through five bouts and comes in at +142, with our model putting him at 43 percent.

Makhachev himself last fought in August, grinding out a decision over Ian Machado Garry, and rates 1629 on our Elo over seven bouts, still the top number in the weight class. Not everyone thinks the title picture needed shaking up at all, with some outlets arguing Makhachev's absence never justified an interim belt in the first place.