Dana White has given more context as to what happened behind the scenes that led to Islam Makhachev not headlining UFC 336 in January, and Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales being lined up for an interim welterweight title fight instead.

While attending a PBR media event yesterday to promote his bull Playmate, White confirmed that Makhachev had initially verbally agreed to fight Prates, before later pulling out before pen was put to paper on the contract.

“Yeah, it was verbally agreed to,” White confirmed.

“I think when you get to a position where he’s at and what he’s accomplished, who knows what he’s thinking or what he wants to do next? But, obviously, I like when guys fight a lot. Being the champ, I don’t really expect you to fight three times a year, but twice would be nice. What you start to do is back up the division, because lots of guys would like a shot at the title.”

Makachev has claimed that he wants a credible contender next and so he wants Prates and Morales to fight to establish a true No.1 contender, but White believes its more about the reigning champion being in a financial position where he doesn’t have to get back into the Octagon any time soon.

“I think it’s money,” White said. “Once you get so much money — when guys are young and hungry, they want to fight a lot because they want to get paid. But once you start to get enough money, you don’t have to fight all the time. And for him, to be fair to Islam, look at what he’s accomplished.”