Ilia Topuria stated that Islam Makhachev is counting other people's money and making excuses to avoid fighting him. According to Topuria, Makhachev had excuses once before and now has them again. Topuria believes this pattern clearly shows Makhachev is avoiding a potential matchup between them. The post does not provide specific context about what excuses were referenced or when a fight was proposed.
Ilia Topuria is publicly calling out Islam Makhachev, accusing the welterweight champion of manufacturing excuses to sidestep a potential fight between them. Topuria made the claim on April 11, asserting that Makhachev has now avoided the matchup on more than one occasion and that the repeated pattern speaks for itself.
Topuria, nicknamed El Matador, enters the conversation as one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport. The 29-year-old Spaniard holds a 17-1-0 record and currently sits at number two in the lightweight division while holding the number one spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. He is among the higher-volume strikers in the game, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute, and supplements his striking with nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes.
Makhachev, 34, is the reigning welterweight champion out of Russia and carries a 28-1-0 record. The Dagestani fighter is a dominant all-around presence, connecting on 58 percent of his significant strikes and averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — a pace that reflects the relentless grappling pressure his team at Eagles MMA is known for. He also ranks at the top of the pound-for-pound list at number zero, indicating champion status across the rankings.
Why it matters
- Topuria holds the number one pound-for-pound ranking, making a potential cross-divisional clash with Makhachev a marquee event
- A size and reach contrast is notable: Makhachev stands 178 cm with a 178 cm reach, while Topuria is 170 cm with a 175 cm reach
- Topuria's striking volume against Makhachev's grappling output sets up a sharply contrasting style matchup
- Repeated public callouts without a confirmed response could force promotional pressure on both sides
