Dana White on Islam Makhachev after UFC 336 interim title: ‘You can’t hold a split like this’

A new champion will be crowned at the start of 2017.

During Saturday’s UFC 333 broadcast from Abu Dhabi, the promotion announced the first two fights for UFC 336 on January 30 in Toronto. Reigning flyweight champion Joshua Van will return to defend against top contender Manel Kape, while a surprise interim title fight between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales is also on the cards.

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The current UFC welterweight champion, Islam Makhachev, was expected to defend his title against Prates at the January event, however, crowned Ariel Helwani announced on Friday that Makhachev will not be able to make the final date. UFC CEO Dana White elaborated from the site at the UFC 333 press conference.

“On average, Islam fights like once a year, and because of January it was carved out and he said he wouldn’t fight until after Ramadan,” White told reporters at the scene. “You can’t hold divisions like this. You hold emotions, and this fight makes sense.”

White added that no reason had been given to him as to why Makhachev would want to wait, but the reigning champion and pound-for-pound have already commented on social media. When a fan asked when we can see him back, Makhachev replied;

“Once we find out who the real contender is, we’ll be right back!”