Ilia Topuria has stated that Islam Makhachev is busy counting other people's money. Topuria claims Makhachev has made excuses on two separate occasions, suggesting a pattern of avoiding a potential fight. According to Topuria, this behavior makes it appear that Makhachev is deliberately evading a matchup between them. The post does not provide specific details about what excuses were made or when. No fight between the two has been officially announced or scheduled.
Ilia Topuria has publicly called out Islam Makhachev, accusing the welterweight champion of focusing on other fighters' earnings rather than agreeing to face him. Topuria claims Makhachev has used excuses on two separate occasions to sidestep a potential matchup, and suggested the pattern points to deliberate avoidance.
Topuria, known as "El Matador," carries a 17-1-0 record and currently sits ranked second in the lightweight division while holding the number-one spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 29-year-old from Spain trains out of Climent Club and brings significant offensive output, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute. He stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance.
Makhachev, meanwhile, holds a 28-1-0 record and is the reigning welterweight champion, ranked first pound-for-pound heading into this report. The 34-year-old Russian, who trains with Eagles MMA, is a well-rounded threat, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 58 percent. He stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach and competes as a southpaw.
Why it matters
- Topuria is the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter and a potential crossroads opponent for Makhachev, making any friction between them significant at the top of the sport.
- A fight between the two would involve a division jump, with Topuria currently competing at lightweight and Makhachev reigning at welterweight.
- Topuria's accusation of a repeated pattern of excuses raises questions about whether a super-fight negotiation has quietly stalled behind the scenes.
No bout between the two has been officially announced or confirmed as of this report.
