UFC books UFC 336 for Toronto as Makhachev withdrawal report surfaces
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The gist
The UFC announced UFC 336 for Toronto's Scotiabank Arena on Jan. 30, 2027, with no bouts confirmed.
A reported Makhachev pullout leaves the card's headliner unsettled.
Background
The UFC is the world's biggest mixed martial arts promotion, run by President and CEO Dana White. It announced a return to Toronto's Scotiabank Arena for UFC 336 during a Fight Night card in Edmonton, its first event in Toronto since UFC 297 in January 2024 and its 39th premier event in Canada. The card is also set to be the first numbered UFC event whose main card airs on Paramount+ in Canada, under a six-year deal announced in June. Days later, a report said Islam Makhachev had withdrawn, leaving the January event without a confirmed main event.
How it unfolded
- Nov 18, 2025 -20, 2026UFC 336 tickets roll out: Fight Club presale Nov 18, newsletter presale Nov 19, general sale Nov 20 via Ticketmaster.ca with an eight-ticket limit.
- Oct 17, 2026The UFC announces UFC 336 for Toronto's Scotiabank Arena on Jan. 30, 2027, during the UFC Fight Night broadcast in Edmonton; no bouts or main event are confirmed.
- Oct 21, 2026Dricus du Plessis' head coach says the UFC asked about a four-man light heavyweight tournament and that he rejected it; Alex Pereira says he will retire when results turn against him.
- Oct 23, 2026Ag Fight reports Islam Makhachev has withdrawn from UFC 336, reason unclear, with the promotion reportedly exploring other options for the January 30 event.
- Oct 24, 2026At UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, Dana White declines to confirm or deny the Makhachev report, calling it "interesting," and clarifies earlier comments about Farid Basharat's release.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Dana White said he loves Canada and that Toronto has hosted some of the biggest moments in UFC history, calling it always incredible to put on an event there.
- Official
- Ontario sport minister Brian Saunderson said eliminating gate fees and cutting red tape make the province one of North America's most competitive jurisdictions for events like UFC 336.
- Caution
- Coach Morne Visser said du Plessis will move to light heavyweight eventually but first wants his middleweight belt back and one defense, and rejected the proposed four-man tournament.
- Expert
- Alex Pereira said he will step away if results turn, refusing to become a stepping stone and saying he has nothing left to prove.
Still unverified
Ag Fight reported that Islam Makhachev withdrew from UFC 336; the reason is unclear and Dana White refused to confirm or deny the report, calling it "interesting." No bouts or main event have been announced or confirmed for UFC 336.