While Islam Makhachev faced backlash for opting to remain sidelined ahead of Ramadan, Colby Covington has unexpectedly spoken up in support of him.
A match for the interim UFC welterweight crown featuring Carlos Prates and Michael Morales was officially arranged as the co-main event for UFC 336. The announcement caught numerous fans off guard, given the widespread assumption that Makhachev would put his 170-pound belt on the line against Prates in Toronto. Following the news, Makhachev took to social platforms to clarify that his upcoming appearance will be among the final bouts of his fighting career.
In light of the scrutiny aimed at Makhachev, Covington shared with MMAJunkie’s Farah Hannoun that he fully comprehends why the champion chose not to burn one of his remaining Octagon appearances right before Ramadan (as reported by Bloody Elbow).
“It took me off guard,” Covington acknowledged. “I figured Islam competed merely two or three months back, having recently defended his championship. Allow him some space to navigate Ramadan. If the January timing was unsuitable for him, grant him the opportunity to compete following Ramadan. Besides, those fighters haven’t earned the right to battle for a temporary belt—what accomplishments have they actually put together?”
Covington quickly clarified that he does not consider Morales deserving of a shot at UFC hardware, though he still anticipates an exciting matchup against Prates.
“Michael Morales hasn’t faced top-tier opposition,” Covington stated. “Nobody has really pushed him yet. Sure, he holds a solid winning streak along with a few eye-catching performances, but he lacks a high-profile feature bout—no headlining slots against former champions or previous title contenders. Because of that, I don’t feel it merits interim championship status, yet that’s precisely why the UFC leadership and Hunter Campbell excel at their jobs—they spot opportunities others miss. So it should prove to be an action-packed contest, and I definitely foresee a knockout.”
In the end, Covington predicts Prates will finish Morales, setting up a unification clash against Makhachev sometime in 2027.
What are your thoughts on Colby Covington defending Islam Makhachev’s choice to sit back until the interim belt is settled, or ought he to have accepted the bout with Carlos Prates at UFC 336? Share your views in the comments section.
This story was initially published on BJPENN.COM
