The 35-year-old fighter is expected to return to action in mid-2027 to face the winner of the upcoming interim title clash between top contenders Carlos Prates and Michael Morales. That anticipated showdown is scheduled to headline the UFC 336 card in Toronto on January 30, with Makhachev preparing to unify the division against the victor.

Addressing his future and his detractors in his online statement, Makhachev expressed his desire to face the toughest opposition available before stepping away from the sport for good. He emphasized his determination to silence critics and cement his legacy at the very top of mixed martial arts.

My next fight is one of the last in my career, Makhachev wrote on social media. 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.

The champion was initially slated to defend his 170-pound title against Prates at UFC 336 to kick off the promotion's numbered event schedule for the coming year. However, those plans stalled when Makhachev declined to take the January date, prompting UFC leadership to introduce an interim championship matchup between Prates and Morales instead.

UFC chief executive Dana White addressed the scheduling impasse, explaining that the division needed to keep moving forward while the champion was unavailable. Because Makhachev preferred to postpone his next defense until after Ramadan, the promotion elected to keep the weight class active with an interim title fight.

The decision to introduce an interim belt has sparked widespread debate across the MMA community regarding division stagnation and the frequency of championship bouts. Despite the differing viewpoints among fighters and analysts, Makhachev remains focused on securing a defining challenge for his return.

Makhachev boasts an extraordinary professional record of 29-1 and currently holds the longest active win streak in the promotion at 17 consecutive victories. A protege of former lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov, he has consistently dominated elite competition throughout his decade-long tenure in the organization.

Having established a legendary legacy at lightweight, where he secured an all-time record of four consecutive title defenses between 2023 and 2025, Makhachev vacated his 155-pound crown. He subsequently moved up to welterweight and captured the championship by dethroning Jack Della Maddalena.

Makhachev successfully defended his newly acquired welterweight strap this past August at UFC 330, earning a hard-fought decision victory over Ian Machado Garry. That performance reinforced his status as the premier fighter in the sport and set the stage for his upcoming clash against either Prates or Morales.

As the champion contemplates the final chapter of his career, comparisons to his mentor Khabib remain prominent within the sport. Khabib famously walked away from mixed martial arts at the peak of his powers, and Makhachev appears poised to follow a similarly calculated path toward retirement.

While the exact date and location for Makhachev's farewell appearance remain unconfirmed, anticipation is already building for his return in mid-2027. The outcome of the UFC 336 interim title bout will determine who earns the ultimate opportunity to face the pound-for-pound leader in what promises to be a historic encounter.

During that high-profile encounter, Machado Garry faced reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. The championship bout drew criticism from UFC president Dana White, who publicly expressed dissatisfaction regarding the challenger's lack of offensive activity during the fight.

Keen to put that disappointing championship defeat behind him, the talented contender is preparing to resume his career campaign. Reports indicate that a new matchup has been booked for the Irishman before the end of the calendar year.

Prominent combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani reported that Machado Garry's next assignment is already secured. However, specific details regarding the exact date, venue, and opponent for the upcoming appearance have not yet been officially revealed by the promotion.

The welterweight division currently features several compelling matchups and contenders who could potentially share the cage with the returning star. Analysts and fans have begun speculating about possible opponents for his imminent comeback fight within the top tier.

One prominent name frequently mentioned in connection with Machado Garry is Michael Morales. The undefeated knockout artist has been eager to secure a major fight after remaining inactive since his victory over Sean Brady at UFC 322.

Morales has previously engaged in social media callouts directed at the Irish contender over several months. While Morales has also been discussed in connection with Shavkat Rakhmonov, fitness concerns surrounding Rakhmonov could clear the path for alternative pairings.

Another logical opponent within the division is former welterweight titleholder Jack Della Maddalena. The Australian fighter has been sidelined since suffering a knockout defeat against Carlos Prates earlier in the year during a previous event.

Carlos Prates himself is widely considered the leading candidate to challenge Islam Makhachev for the welterweight championship next. Consequently, top-five contenders like Machado Garry are positioning themselves carefully for pivotal eliminator bouts in the division.

Despite facing criticism from promotion executives following his tactical approach against Makhachev, Machado Garry remains a vital fixture at the summit of the 170-pound weight class. His return is expected to significantly impact the broader championship landscape.

The welterweight weight class continues to produce intense competition, with upcoming events such as UFC 336 in Toronto drawing immense interest. Division standouts are actively jockeying for prime placement on upcoming pay-per-view cards scheduled for early next year.

As the organization finalizes the remaining fight cards for the final quarter of the year, official confirmation of Machado Garry's opponent is anticipated in the coming weeks. The mixed martial arts community eagerly awaits details of his next step toward title redemption.

In other recent welterweight action, Canadian contender Mike Malott made headlines with a stunning performance this past Saturday at UFC Edmonton. Malott secured a definitive victory by knocking out Joaquin Buckley with a knee in the second round.

That impressive victory elevated Malott's promotional record to eight wins against a single loss, marking his fifth consecutive triumph inside the Octagon. By defeating a recognized top-10 fighter, the 34-year-old Canadian dramatically advanced his status in the division.

Following his career-best win on home soil, Malott wasted no time expressing his ambitions for his next steps. The Canadian fighter explicitly stated his desire to secure a prominent spot on the newly announced UFC 336 card in Toronto.

Furthermore, Malott identified potential future opponents, naming veteran contender Jack Della Maddalena as an adversary he would welcome next. The convergence of these top contenders highlights the intense activity currently shaping the welterweight weight class.

Meanwhile, division dynamics continue to shift with various athletes navigating contractual disputes, rankings adjustments, and promotional exits. Top-ranked athletes remain vocal about their trajectories as the organization plans its upcoming schedule of global events.

The broader UFC landscape features intense rivalries and anticipated championship bouts across multiple weight divisions, keeping fans engaged. Promoters continue to weigh contender standings as they build stacked cards for major international markets in the coming months.

Machado Garry's impending return serves as a critical juncture for his professional trajectory as he seeks to re-establish momentum. A victory against another elite contender would quickly thrust the Irish fighter back into championship conversations.

The coming weeks will likely bring formal announcements from the promotion regarding the exact matchmaking for Machado Garry's late-year return. Observers will monitor how the welterweight hierarchy responds to these developing athletic matchups.

The event is scheduled to be held at the Scotiabank Arena, a venue familiar to the promotion and home to the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. This marks the return of the UFC to Canada's largest city for the first time since January 2024.

UFC 336 will serve as the first numbered card of the 2027 calendar year. The promotion has a long-standing history in Toronto, having first visited the city in April 2011 for the historic UFC 129 event held at the Rogers Centre.

While the official fight card has yet to be finalized, the announcement has generated significant anticipation among Canadian fans. The UFC has historically maintained a strong presence in the country, often hosting two major events annually across different provinces.

Reports suggest that a potential welterweight championship bout between Islam Makhachev and Carlos Prates is being considered as a headliner for the event. However, the organization has not yet confirmed any specific matchups for the card.

Other potential bouts discussed in relation to the upcoming schedule include a welterweight contender clash between Michael Morales and Shavkat Rakhmonov. UFC president Dana White has previously hinted that this matchup is under consideration for future cards.

The transition to 2027 also brings changes to how fans in Canada access major events. Numbered cards in the region are set to move to the Paramount+ platform, aligning with the broader distribution strategy adopted by the promotion.

The return to Toronto follows a successful Fight Night card in Edmonton, which featured a record number of Canadian fighters on the roster. The promotion continues to leverage its popularity in the region to host high-profile numbered events.

The Scotiabank Arena, formerly known as the Air Canada Centre, has hosted the majority of the UFC's Toronto-based events over the past decade. It remains a primary destination for the promotion's international expansion efforts.

As the date approaches, the UFC is expected to announce the full lineup of bouts. Fans have been encouraged to register their interest through official channels as the organization prepares for its first major show of the new year.

Toronto has long served as a cornerstone of the UFC's Canadian expansion. Before the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the promotion visited the city with much greater frequency, establishing a dedicated and passionate local fanbase.

The upcoming event at Scotiabank Arena represents the eighth time the UFC has brought its octagon to Toronto. This consistent return to the city underscores its status as one of the premier global destinations for mixed martial arts.

The announcement was broadcast to a captive audience during the UFC Edmonton event, which saw a record-breaking 12 Canadian fighters compete. This surge in local talent has been a key factor in the promotion's ongoing commitment to the region.

The shift in broadcasting rights is a significant development for Canadian viewers. With numbered events moving to Paramount+ in 2027, the promotion aims to streamline access, moving away from the traditional pay-per-view model that previously governed these major cards.

While the main event remains unconfirmed, the rumored pairing of Islam Makhachev and Carlos Prates has captured the attention of analysts. Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion, continues to be a dominant force within the promotion's competitive landscape.

Carlos Prates has also emerged as a formidable challenger, building a strong record that makes him a logical candidate for a marquee title fight. Whether this specific bout materializes will depend on the finalization of contractual agreements.

The potential welterweight clash between Michael Morales and Shavkat Rakhmonov is another highlight currently being monitored by the MMA community. Such a matchup would carry significant weight in determining the future of the division's rankings.

The UFC's strategy of pairing high-profile numbered events with local Fight Night cards has proven effective in Canada. By maintaining this dual-event structure, the organization ensures a steady stream of content for its growing international audience.

The Scotiabank Arena is well-equipped to handle the high production demands of a numbered UFC event. Its central location and history of hosting major sporting spectacles make it an ideal venue for the promotion's return to Toronto.

As the date for UFC 336 approaches, fans can expect further updates regarding the fight card and ticket availability. The organization remains focused on delivering a high-quality experience for its Canadian supporters in the new year.