Ilia Topuria has publicly stated that Islam Makhachev is concerned with counting other people's money rather than fighting. Topuria claims Makhachev has made excuses on two separate occasions now. According to Topuria, this pattern of behavior clearly indicates that Makhachev is avoiding the fight. The post provides limited additional context about the specific nature of the excuses or the timeline of events.
Ilia Topuria went public on April 11 with sharp criticism of lightweight and welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, accusing the Russian of dodging a potential superfight and fixating on financial matters rather than stepping into the cage.
Topuria, known as El Matador, carries a 17-1 record and currently holds the number-two ranking in the lightweight division while sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings at number one. The 29-year-old Spaniard out of Climent Club is one of the most active strikers in the sport, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute, and has shown well-rounded skills with nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.1 submission attempts in the same window.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and is the reigning champion across two divisions, also claiming the number-one spot in the pound-for-pound standings at zero. The Dagestan-born fighter trains with Eagles MMA and brings a suffocating grappling game to complement his striking, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing strikes at a remarkable 58 percent accuracy rate. He is a southpaw standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach.
Topuria stated that Makhachev has now made excuses on two separate occasions to avoid the matchup, and characterized the pattern as a clear sign that the champion has no intention of accepting the fight. He also accused Makhachev of being preoccupied with other fighters' earnings.
Why it matters
- A win for either man in a potential superfight would carry enormous pound-for-pound implications at the very top of the sport.
- Topuria is ranked number one pound-for-pound despite holding a divisional rank of two at lightweight, underlining his status as one of the elite fighters in the world.
- The stylistic contrast is stark, pitting Topuria's high-volume striking output against Makhachev's elite takedown and submission threat.
