Colby Covington says Islam Makhachev shouldn't get heat for not defending his title at UFC 336.

UFC welterweight champion Makhachev (29-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC) opted not to compete on Jan. 30 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto (Paramount+) against Carlos Prates. Makhachev said he doesn't see a clear-cut contender, and wants to see Prates fight Michael Morales to determine who's next.

That's exactly what will happen as Prates (24-7 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and Morales (19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) square off in the UFC 336 co-main event, but Covington doesn't agree with an interim title being on the line, considering that Makhachev just defended his title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in August.

"I was surprised, you know," Covington told MMA Junkie. "Islam just fought, like two or three months ago, I thought, and he just had a title defense. Give him a little time to get through Ramadan. The January date for him didn't work out, give him some time to fight him after Ramadan. Those guys aren't worthy to be fighting for an interim title. What have those guys done?

"Michael Morales has fought nobody. He's been tested by nobody. He's had an impressive win streak and some nice showcasing wins, but he hasn't had, like, a premier marquee matchup, a main event shot with an ex-champ or a title challenger. So I don't think that deserves to be an interim title, but that's why the UFC and Hunter Campbell are so great at what they do, and they see something, and they know something. That'll be an exciting fight, for sure. That'll be an all-striking battle, and I think someone will get knocked out, for sure."

Prates has opened up as a slight favorite over Morales, and Covington agrees with the oddsmakers.

"I think Prates," Covington said. "I think Prates is a little cleaner striking. Morales swings recklessly, and I just don't think he'll be ready for Prates' pinpoint accuracy. But you never know. That's why they get locked in a cage, and I'm not discrediting Morales because he's a great fighter, and he's had some great wins, but I just think that Prates is a little bit cleaner with his striking."