Islam Makhachev has strongly refuted Ilia Topuria’s account of their potential super fight, asserting that it was Topuria, not him, who caused the bout to fall through due to excessive financial demands.
Topuria had previously claimed that a fight against Makhachev for the June 14 “White House” card was “very, very close” – practically a done deal – until he received a call just hours before the announcement, informing him that Makhachev had pulled out due to injury. This, according to Topuria, led to the UFC booking him against Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria also labeled Makhachev’s team as “weird people” in subsequent interviews.
“It was very, very close. In fact, hours before the entire White House card was announced, I was going to fight Islam, and the fight was going to be announced. Hours before the announcement, I got a call where they told me Islam was out with an injury, and I was fighting Justin Gaethje. So really, the fight was very close to happening.”
“Weird people. Strange people.”
Makhachev Responds to Topuria’s “Fake Claims”
However, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, has now publicly challenged Topuria’s narrative. Makhachev stated he readily accepted the proposed fight for the White House card. According to Makhachev, the following day, he was informed that Topuria had requested an “unrealistic purse” from the UFC, which the promotion subsequently declined. This, Makhachev maintains, is the real reason Topuria pulled out of the fight.
Makhachev expressed his frustration with what he perceives as a series of “made-up stories” from Topuria and his team. “I’m tired of hearing made-up stories from Topuria and his team,” Makhachev posted. “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. Ilia, stop talking. Every interview you give tells a different story. You pulled out, and you know it.” Makhachev emphasized that even Topuria’s manager reportedly confirmed this version of events.
I’m tired of hearing made-up stories from Topuria and his team.
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. Ilia, stop talking. Every interview you give tells a different story. You pulled out, and you know it.
This direct confrontation highlights a growing dispute between the two prominent UFC fighters regarding the circumstances surrounding their failed fight arrangement.
