Rizvan Magomedov has pumped the brakes on Islam Makhachev’s next fight.

It was reported earlier this month that Makhachev is being targeted for a January return after expressing his desire to compete again before Ramadan.

Headlining the first numbered event of a year is a spot that we saw the Russian fill in 2025 for this reason.

While the announcement that UFC 336 will take place in Toronto got fans excited following talk of this event being centered around the welterweight division, nothing is set in stone as of yet.

Who should headline UFC 336, the first numbered event of 2027?🇨🇦

The premier promotion announced they are returning to Toronto for UFC 336!

Rizvan Magomedov says Islam Makhachev vs Carlos Prates is just a rumor at this time

It still seems highly likely that Carlos Prates will get his shot at Islam Makhachev in the near future.

With the likes of Michael Morales already announcing a January return, all signs seemed to be pointing towards a welterweight-heavy UFC 336 card in Toronto.

However, Makhachev’s manager has pumped the brakes on fans getting excited about these various plans coming together for January 30.

Rizvan Magomedov told Ushatayka during UFC 333 fight week in Abu Dhabi that a matchup between the champion and Prates at the start of next year is “not close to reality yet”.

“So far, it’s all just rumors and talk,” he said, translated via YouTube.

After a follow-up question, Magomedov did confirm that negotiations are ongoing regarding Makhachev’s next welterweight title defense.

He then added that any confirmation regarding what date or opponent this will be “is still far from realistic”.

Makhachev told the media immediately after his last fight in August that he “100 per cent” has to make his return either before the end of 2026 or in January.

With the promotion’s numbered events for this remainder of the year already having their main events announced, that only leaves one option.