STWF Sports | Dec. 30, 2025 – The UFC’s welterweight division will remain on pause a little longer. Fresh off capturing the 170-pound title, Islam Makhachev has turned down the opportunity to make his first defense of the belt in January 2026, citing an unrealistic turnaround after a grueling championship camp and fight schedule. The decision removes one of the division’s biggest stars from the UFC’s early-year plans and reshapes the immediate title picture.
The timing was notable. UFC 324 is set to usher in a new era for the promotion as the first card under Dana White’s blockbuster broadcast agreement with Paramount+. While the event will now be headlined by British fan favorite Paddy Pimblett in an interim lightweight title bout against Justin Gaethje, Makhachev was initially discussed as a possible addition to the card.
That scenario, however, never came close to materializing.
After defeating Jack Della Maddalena in November to claim the welterweight crown, Makhachev was floated as a potential champion willing to turn around quickly. Instead, the reigning champion drew a firm line when the call came.
“I was offered a fight in January,” Makhachev told Ushatayka. “January, I think, is an impossible date because I had already been in camp for three months, and they called me in December. They were like, ‘You’ll be fighting in January.’ I said it was already too late.”
Makhachev explained that a proper training camp would have required him to leave immediately, something he felt was neither realistic nor responsible after such a demanding title run.
“I needed to leave for camp and be ready for January,” he said. “I told them I definitely won’t fight in January.”
While the UFC did not formally disclose the proposed opponent, Makhachev believes the matchup would have been against unbeaten contender Michael Morales, a rising force in the division who has steadily climbed the rankings.
“They didn’t tell me the name,” Makhachev said. “But honestly, I think it was Morales. That’s my opinion.”
With January off the table, attention now turns to when—and against whom—the champion will return. Having only recently made the jump to welterweight, Makhachev finds himself at a crossroads in a division loaded with intrigue and stylistic challenges.
The biggest potential blockbuster would involve Ilia Topuria, should the lightweight star choose to move up and reignite a rivalry that fans have long speculated about. For now, however, “El Matador” is on hiatus, leaving his immediate future uncertain.
Morales remains the most straightforward option. Undefeated and rapidly improving, he has built a compelling case as the next challenger, combining finishing ability with momentum that is hard for the promotion to ignore.
Another name forcing his way into the conversation is Ian Garry, who publicly lobbied for a title opportunity. A matchup between Garry and Makhachev would carry added intrigue given Garry’s connection to Conor McGregor, one of the UFC’s most influential figures.
For now, Makhachev is focused on timing rather than opponents. He made it clear that fans should not expect to see him back inside the Octagon until well into 2026.
“I think it will be after Ramadan for sure—April, May, June,” he said. “If they want to wait and put it at the White House, then I’ll wait. If not, then I can fight earlier.”
The stance reflects a champion intent on longevity rather than quick turnarounds. As the UFC navigates a new broadcast era and the welterweight division sorts through its contenders, Makhachev’s patience may ultimately shape the direction of the weight class—setting the stage for a high-stakes return later next year. That will a be an exciting Fan Favorite event!
