Makhachev vs Prates reportedly targeted for UFC 336 in Toronto on 30 January for welterweight title

Islam Makhachev's next welterweight title defence could be against Brazil's Carlos Prates at UFC 336 in Toronto on 30 January 2027, according to reporter Alvaro Colmenero, Sherdog reported on Wednesday. Colmenero wrote on X that if negotiations continue, "we'll see the Brazilian fighting against Islam Makhachev next January 30." The UFC has not confirmed the fight.

The champion

• Record: 29-1.
• Path: four lightweight title defences, then a move up to welterweight. He won the 170-pound belt by unanimous decision over Jack Della Maddalena in November 2025 and defended it against Ian Garry in August.

The challenger

• Record: 24-7.
• Form: Prates has finished all seven of his UFC wins. His only loss in the promotion was a decision to Garry. In May he stopped Della Maddalena, the man Makhachev beat for the title, in the third round.

That shared result is the case for the fight: Prates stopped the former champion that Makhachev outpointed. The case against is Makhachev's grappling, which has neutralised strikers for a decade. Fellow fighter Jean Silva has already said he doubts Makhachev can survive five rounds with Prates, Sherdog reported separately.

When it would air in Pakistan

UFC numbered events in North America usually start their main card at 10pm Eastern time, which is 8am PKT the next morning. If the fight is confirmed for Saturday 30 January in Toronto, the main event would most likely land on the morning of Sunday 31 January in Pakistan. We will confirm the exact time once the UFC announces the card.

Every confirmed UFC event, with Pakistan start times, is on our UFC schedule in Pakistan time page.