UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev was initially slated to help the promotion begin its numbered-event schedule next year.

Instead, Makhachev will sit out and await the winner of the scheduled interim welterweight title fight at UFC 336 in Toronto, Canada, on Saturday, Jan. 30, between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales. The winner would then be set to fight Makhachev later in the year.

Although UFC CEO Dana White strongly disagrees with Makhachev's reasoning for sitting out (observance of Ramadan), another ex-two-division champion, Henry Cejudo, agrees with Makhachev's choice.

During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast , which features Cejudo alongside former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman, Cejudo said Makhachev letting the top of the division play out was the right move.

Will Islam Makhachev Unify UFC Welterweight Titles?

Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) leaves the octagon after defeating Renato Moicano (not pictured) in a lightweight title…