Islam Makhachev's Next Fight Plans Before Ramadan

Islam Makhachev already knows when he wants to walk back into the fire.

The reigning Welterweight champion, fresh off his first defense of the 170-pound title at UFC 330 against Ian Machado Garry in Philadelphia, left with his belt, his aura intact — and a new problem to solve.

Not an opponent. His spine.

A Champion Managing the Miles

Makhachev revealed that the Garry fight sent him straight into a battery of medical checks.

“After the fight, I had three MRIs and had my entire spine checked,” he said. “There are a few small issues, so I'm working on them. It's nothing serious. I'm just strengthening my spine.”

No panic. No drama. Just a methodical champion treating his body like another opponent to break down and control.

The plan is clear in his mind. The calendar, less forgiving.

“We'll wait for the UFC to call,” he added. “I think the ideal scenario would be to fight before Ramadan. Ramadan starts for us in February. A date before Ramadan would be ideal.”

Ramadan is expected to begin around February 8, 2027, which gives the promotion a narrow window. Realistically, that means a title defense in December 2026 or January 2027. Miss that slot, and the champion sits until spring at the earliest.

For a fighter who likes to stay busy, that matters.

Carlos Prates Waiting at the Door

If the UFC can squeeze a defense into that window, one name sits in bold at the top of the list: Carlos Prates.

The Brazilian knockout artist insists the UFC has already promised him the next shot at the Welterweight crown. His case is violent and simple. Three fights. Three knockouts. Geoff Neal, Leon Edwards, and former champion Jack Della Maddalena all fell in succession, each finish sharpening his claim.

“The Nightmare” believes the work is done. Title shot or bust.

Makhachev, though, has floated a different route. He previously suggested Prates should face undefeated contender Michael Morales to decide who truly deserves the next crack at gold. Prates has pushed back publicly, adamant that his recent run should be enough on its own.

That tension now hangs over the division: the champion’s preference, the contender’s demand, and the matchmakers’ decision.

A Race Against the Calendar

For the UFC, the stakes stretch beyond one date on the schedule.

If Makhachev fights before Ramadan, it opens the door for a second defense later in 2027 — a rhythm that fits his career pattern. When healthy, he has typically competed twice a year, a cadence that keeps divisions moving and legacies building.

An early-year defense, then a late summer or fall return. That’s the ideal script.

But it all starts with two choices: the timing, and the man across the cage.

First, Makhachev will finish fortifying his spine. Then the UFC must decide whether Carlos Prates is next in line — or just one more contender forced to wait outside while the champion sets the terms of his reign.