According to UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, Ilia Topuria is to blame for their superfight not coming to fruition at the White House.
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria will headline the promotion’s White House event against interim titleholder Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June. After months of UFC CEO Dana White teasing one of the ‘biggest cards in UFC history’, Topuria vs. Gaethje will look to deliver on lofty pre-event expectations.
Before Topuria vs. Gaethje was formally announced by White, rumors swirled about a potential superfight between Topuria and reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev on the White House lawn. After Topuria vs. Gaethje was announced, it was revealed that Makhachev is dealing with a hand injury that has indefinitely postponed his targeted Octagon return timeline.
Topuria recently claimed in an interview that Makhachev and his team refused to fight him at the upcoming White House event after prolonged negotiations. According to Makhachev, Topuria’s side of the story isn’t the correct one.
Islam Makhachev: Ilia Topuria ‘pulled out’ of White House fight offer
In a recent post to X, Makhachev responded to Topuria’s latest claims about the upcoming White House card and why their fight didn’t come to fruition.
“I’m tired of hearing made-up stories from Topuria and his team,” Makhachev said.
“I got the call and accepted the fight at the White House. The next day, I was told he asked for an unrealistic purse. The UFC declined, and he pulled out. That’s it nothing more to it.
“Even his manager confirmed it,” Makhachev continued. “Ilia, stop talking. Every interview you give tells a different story. You pulled out, and you know it.”
As of this writing, Topuria hasn’t responded to Makhachev’s remarks.
In terms of a potential Makhachev return timeline, manager Ali Abdelaziz recently claimed that they’re in active talks for the UFC welterweight champion to return in July against a to-be-named contender. But in the meantime, tensions are running high between Makhachev and Topuria, two of the pound-for-pound best fighters.
What is your prediction for a potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria fight? Let us know in the comments!