Colby Covington Supports Islam Makhachev for Skipping UFC 336 Title Defense; Dagestani Star Plans His Retirement

Islam Makhachev decided to not defend his welterweight title in January at UFC 336 when the promotion returns to Canada. Instead, Carlos Prates and Michael Morales will compete for the interim welterweight title on that fight card. This decision did not go well with the MMA fans.

Makhachev only fought once in 2026. Now, after skipping the January title defense, the Dagestani superstar will return around May or June. His activity in the 170lbs division after winning the title remains unsatisfactory for many fans. However, Colby Covington doesn’t see it that way.

Covington usually doesn’t support the Dagestani fighters. As such, his defense of Makhachev remained surprising. The former interim welterweight champion didn’t understand the backlash from fans regarding Makhachev’s decision to sit out.

I was surprised. I thought he just fought two or three months ago. I thought he just had a title defense. Give him a little time to get through Ramadan. The January date for him didn’t work out. Give him some time to fight after Ramadan. Those guys aren’t worthy to be fighting for an interim title. What have those guys done? Michael Morales has fought nobody. He’s been tested by nobody.

Colby Covington via MMA Junkie

Colby Covington says Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales isn’t worthy of an interim title and defends Islam Makhachev’s choices. "What have those guys done? Michael Morales has fought nobody." (via @Farah_Hannoun) https://t.co/N7RG7LOEuA

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 30, 2026

Covington felt that UFC CBO Hunter Campbell leveraged the situation to put on a striking battle between Morales and Prates at UFC 336. ‘Chaos’ predicted that one of the two South American fighters will get knocked out and doesn’t see the bout going to decision.

Covington also told Farrah Hanoun of MMA Junkie that the resume of Morales looked sketchy at best as he had zero elite victories. Neil Magny, Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady are the best wins of the Ecuadorian’s career so far.

Magny was 2-2 in previous four fights before losing to Morales. Burns was on a three-fight losing streak before Morales knocked him out in the first round. Only Sean Brady had a winning streak before the Ecuadorian defeated him.

Meanwhile, Prates has wins over two former champions in Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards. The interim welterweight title fight at UFC 336 will amplify the resume of the winner before getting the chance to face Makhachev.

Morales has wanted to face Makhachev for a year now. It remains to be seen if he will get the chance as another dangerous knockout artist stands in his way.

Islam Makhachev hints at retirement after tweeting about Carlos Prates vs Michael Morales

UFC commentator Joe Rogan thought about Islam Makhachev potentially retiring after UFC 330. Instead, the Dagestani superstar chose to continue his MMA career after his victory over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330.

With the victory, he also set up the longest winning streak in UFC history with 17 consecutive victories. Many expected the welterweight champion to make a quick turnaround and return in early 2027. However, that didn’t happen.

The Dagestani superstar recently addressed the reason for why he chose to rest instead of defending his belt at UFC 336.

My next fight is one of the last in my career. They say Prates is too dangerous for me and Morales is too good for me. So, I want to face the best of them and prove to the world once again who is the best in world.

Islam Makhachev via X

My next fight is one of the last in my career. They say Prates is too dangerous for me and Morales is too good for me. So I want to face the best of them and prove to the world once again who is the best in world. https://t.co/bQSw97TzNe

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) October 30, 2026

This tweet also indicates that only one of Prates or Morales will get to fight Makhachev instead of both of them. Prates has vowed to destroy Makhachev for rejecting to defend the title against him in January.

Makhachev’s tweet further hyped up the interim title bout between the two welterweight contenders. It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious and face the Dagestani star sometime next year.

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