Dana White explains why interim welterweight title being introduced with Islam Makhachev still champion - MMA Fighting

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 15: (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)Damon Martin is a veteran journalist and insider covering combat sports since 2003. Carlos Prates is battling Michael Morales for an interim welterweight title at UFC 336, but why exactly is a new championship being introduced with Islam Makhachev still holding onto his belt? Original plans for UFC 336 had Makhachev defending his title in the main event against Prates but suddenly the reigning welterweight champion became unavailable and plans changed for the organization. On Saturday at UFC 333, UFC CEO Dana White addressed the situation and why the promotion decided to introduce a new belt rather than just declare Prates vs. Morales as a No. 1 contender’s fight. “On average, Islam fights like one time a year,” White said at the post-fight press conference. “He was slated for January and then said ‘I don’t want to fight until after Ramadan.’“You can’t hold up divisions like this. You’ve got to keep moving and this fight makes sense.”Makhachev last fought in August where he scored a unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry in his latest title defese.