White frustrated with Makhachev's inactivity: 'Champions should fight twice a year'

UFC CEO Dana White has expressed frustration with welterweight champion Islam Makhachev's fight frequency, saying champions should compete roughly twice a year to keep title contention moving smoothly across a division.

White shared his views on Makhachev's title defense schedule in a recent media session, according to MMA Fighting and MMA Junkie.

"I don't expect a champion to fight three times a year," White said. "But twice would be nice. When a champion goes quiet, the whole division gets backed up. There are a lot of fighters who want a shot at that title."

The remarks came amid the collapse of a welterweight title bout at UFC 336, scheduled for Jan. 30 in Toronto. The promotion had been working toward a matchup between Makhachev and Carlos Prates of Brazil, but the fight never came together. White said the two sides had reached a verbal agreement before Makhachev withdrew from the plan.

In response, the UFC arranged an interim title fight between Prates and undefeated contender Michael Morales of Ecuador. Makhachev is expected to return after Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Makhachev last competed Aug. 16 (Korean Standard Time), defeating Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision at UFC 330 in Philadelphia to make the first defense of his welterweight title. The win extended his UFC winning streak to a record 17 consecutive victories, but it was his only outing this year.

Makhachev has not fought three or more times in a single year since 2022. He had two bouts last year and just one so far this year. As his activity has declined since reaching the top, the wait for title challengers has grown longer.

White attributed the drop in activity among elite fighters to financial comfort. "Young, hungry fighters want to fight often because they need the money," he said. "But once they've made enough, there's no need to fight as often."

White tempered his criticism by acknowledging Makhachev's accomplishments. "Look at what he's done," White said, signaling an understanding of the position top-ranked fighters find themselves in.

The debate over Makhachev's schedule had earlier spilled into religious controversy. Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub criticized Makhachev's absence from the January title fight and went so far as to question whether Muslim fighters should hold championship belts.

Schaub argued on his YouTube program that Makhachev should be stripped of the title, particularly suggesting that Muslim fighters whose religious obligations limit their availability should not serve as champions. The remarks drew a sharp rebuke from Makhachev's manager, Ali Abdelaziz.