The UFC was hoping to kick off the Paramount+ era with an Islam Makhachev headliner, but the timeline wasn’t feasible.

UFC welterweight champion Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC), who won the belt with a unanimous decision over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 on Nov. 15, was approached by the company brass about making a nine-week turnaround from his previous fight to defend the belt.

According to Makhachev, he presented the opportunity in early December about compete at UFC 324, which goes down Jan. 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He said the timeline was unrealistic for sufficient preparation and it was quickly ruled out.

“I was offered a fight in January,” Makhachev told Ushatayka. “January, I think, is an impossible date because I had already been in camp for three months, and they called me in December. They were like, ‘You’ll be fighting in January.’ I said it was already too late. I needed to leave for camp and be ready for January. I told them I definitely won’t fight in January.”

According to Makhachev, 34, the opponent for that potential date wasn’t discussed with him personally. He said his belief was unbeaten Michael Morales, but Makhachev’s co-manager Ali Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie during UFC 323 fight week this month, that the potential foes he heard were Kamaru Usman and Ian Machado Garry.

“They didn’t tell me the name, but honestly, I think it was my Morales,” Makhachev said. “That’s my opinion. They didn’t say the name, they just asked whether I would fight in January or not.”

Although January wasn’t a good timeline, Makhachev said he doesn’t want to wait much longer to get back inside the octagon. He see things happening as early as the start of Q2 of 2026, but admits it could drag out longer if the promotion calls on him to fight at the UFC White House event.

” I think it will be after Ramadan for sure – April, May, June,” Makhachev said. “If they want to wait and put it at the White House, then I’ll wait. If not, then I can fight earlier.”

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Islam Makhachev confirms he turned down UFC 324 title defense offer