“Rumors and talk”: Islam Makhachev’s manager gives final say on rumored bout with Carlos Prates at UFC 336

A rumored fight between Islam Makhachev and Carlos Prates at UFC 336 in Toronto is currently far from being finalized. Makhachev’s manager has played down the growing reports surrounding a possible January showdown, saying negotiations are still ongoing and nothing has been confirmed.The welterweight champion has been linked with Prates following his recent run in the UFC. However, Makhachev’s team has made it clear that fans should not treat the rumored matchup as official. The event, opponent and date are yet to be finalized, despite increasing speculation about a potential UFC 336 fight.Islam Makhachev vs Carlos Prates remains only a rumorIslam Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz addressed the speculation in comments to Russian outlet Ushatayka. He confirmed that discussions are taking place but stressed that the potential fight is nowhere near becoming official.“As of now, it’s not close to becoming a reality. It’s all just rumors and talk. Negotiations are ongoing, but confirming he’ll fight on a certain date and against a certain opponent is still far from realistic”, he said.The comments come after reports linked Makhachev with a January return at UFC 336 in Toronto. Carlos Prates has emerged as one of the names being discussed as a possible opponent.Prates has attracted significant attention during his UFC career because of his dangerous striking and rapid rise through the welterweight division. A fight against Makhachev would represent one of the biggest opportunities of his career.However, there is currently no official confirmation from the UFC that Makhachev will compete at UFC 336. There is also no confirmed agreement between the champion and Prates.Makhachev remains one of the biggest names in the UFC. The Russian fighter moved to welterweight after an outstanding run at lightweight. He previously held the UFC lightweight championship before making the move up and winning a second UFC title.His professional record stands at 29-1. He has also built an impressive winning streak inside the UFC and remains at the top of the promotion’s pound-for-pound rankings.Makhachev most recently defended his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. He earned a unanimous decision after a dominant performance in the grappling exchanges.Machado Garry had moments of success with his striking, but Makhachev’s pressure and wrestling remained decisive. The victory extended Makhachev’s UFC winning streak to 17 fights.Away from fighting, Makhachev has also taken on a new challenge. He recently enrolled as a master’s student at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics’ Dubai branch.The university praised the champion for continuing his education while competing at the highest level of MMA.For now, Makhachev’s next opponent remains uncertain. Carlos Prates is among the names linked with him, but his manager’s latest comments suggest that the fight is still only a possibility.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.