Islam Makhachev opted out of fighting Carlos Prates at UFC 336 and as a result the promotion is introducing an interim title shot as the Brazilian now faces Michael Morales in January.
While Makhachev ultimately turned down a fight, he just defended his belt in August with a unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry, and he has already stated that he would happily face the winner of Prates vs. Morales after Ramadan ends. But UFC CEO Dana White insisted the division must move forward in Makhachev’s absence, which is why an interim title is being introduced.
UFC legend Matt Brown understands the frustration but also defends Makhachev’s right to delay his return, no matter how angry it makes his bosses.
“He’s in a position given that he’s done such great things, I feel like he’s earned that right,” Brown said on the latest episode of The fighter versus the writer. “I think he’s earned that right – I wouldn’t call it choosing – if he said ‘I don’t want to fight anybody’ for that amount of time. Again, this is where I’ve said it a thousand times, I wish there was some sort of standard. The UFC needs to set a standard – if you don’t defend that long, we win an interim title. It happens all the time in boxing. This guy needs this, I’m going to fight this guy, I want to for fighting this guy is just standard combat sports stuff.
“When you get to that level, you become a little more picky and picky, as you should. I’m not going to hate Islam being picky and picky about this fight.”
Although the UFC would have liked Makhachev to return in January, he has only been out for two months, and UFC 336 is still just five months removed from his final title defense.
This is why Brown really disagrees with the UFC putting an interim title on the line when Makhachev is still the undisputed champion.
“It surprised me that Islam did that. I just thought he would take the fight and leave,” Brown said. “I didn’t really think he would get into the politics of who should beat who, but coming for an interim title? He just fought what two months ago? Two months ago. We don’t need to do that. The interim title doesn’t mean anything.
“It’s an incredible fight between Morales and Prates, but you’re taking out a contender. I’d rather see Islam fight both of them. Maybe that’s not what Islam wants to do. I think he’s earned his spot there, and if that’s what he wants to do, I think you say OK. You have to fight someone. Who do you want to fight? The last thing I like about this is a fucking interim title.”
The UFC has often introduced interim titles to help boost the profile of a card where championship fights simply attract more attention.
But Brown can’t help but wonder if this particular interim title has more to do with punishing Makhachev than the welterweight division’s need to move forward while he’s out of action.
“Is this the UFC trying to punch Islam in the gut? » said Brown. “That’s how we feel here. That’s what I feel, is our distaste for this particular situation. We can talk all day about how we don’t like interim titles, but especially when a guy just says, ‘I don’t want to fight this guy right now.’
“I don’t know what the conversation was behind the scenes, but if he clearly told them ‘I’m going to fight in March, April, June, July’ whatever it is, then that’s absolutely fair. He’s earned that right to choose when he fights.”
Gn sports
