Ilia Topuria has stated that Islam Makhachev is focused on counting other people's money rather than fighting. Topuria claims that Makhachev has made excuses on two separate occasions now. According to Topuria, this pattern of behavior makes it appear that Makhachev is deliberately avoiding a potential fight between them. The post does not provide specific details about what excuses were made or the context of a potential matchup. This represents an escalation in the ongoing verbal exchanges between the two champions.
Ilia Topuria has publicly accused Islam Makhachev of dodging a potential superfight between the two champions, claiming the lightweight titleholder has now used excuses on two separate occasions to avoid the matchup.
Topuria, 29, holds a 17-1-0 record and currently competes at lightweight, where he is ranked second in the division and sits at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. Known as "El Matador," the Spanish-Georgian fighter has been one of the most active and aggressive strikers in the sport, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute. His offensive output, combined with a well-rounded ground game averaging 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes, has made him one of the most talked-about fighters in the world.
Makhachev, 34, is the reigning welterweight champion out of Russia, training under the Eagles MMA banner. He carries a 28-1-0 record and holds the number-one spot on the pound-for-pound list. A dominant grappler who averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, Makhachev also leads with a striking accuracy of 58 percent, among the highest in the sport. He fights out of a southpaw stance and has long been considered one of the most complete fighters in the UFC.
Topuria's latest remarks focused on what he described as Makhachev's habit of counting other people's money rather than accepting the fight, framing the repeated excuses as a pattern of deliberate avoidance.
Why it matters
- A bout between the pound-for-pound number one and number two would carry enormous stakes across two weight classes
- Topuria's public pressure campaign escalates what has already been an ongoing back-and-forth between the two champions
- The stylistic contrast — Makhachev's elite grappling versus Topuria's high-volume striking — would present one of the most compelling matchups the UFC could offer
