Ilia Topuria claimed he was originally scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event, but Makhachev withdrew due to injury just hours before the announcement, leading to Topuria facing Justin Gaethje instead. Islam Makhachev responded, stating that he agreed to the White House bout when offered, but UFC declined Topuria's fight after the Georgian requested an excessive purse. Makhachev accused Topuria and his team of lying, saying even Topuria's manager confirmed the purse was the issue. The back-and-forth continued with fans engaging in the debate. Sean Strickland also received support from Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce ahead of his bout with Khamzat Chimaev, with both betting on Strickland.
A public dispute between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev has spilled onto social media, with both fighters offering conflicting accounts of how a proposed matchup between them fell apart ahead of the upcoming White House event.
Topuria, the featherweight standout from Georgia, claimed he was originally booked to face Makhachev at the high-profile card before the Russian withdrew due to injury just hours before an announcement was made. That development, according to Topuria, led to the UFC pivoting toward a matchup with Justin Gaethje instead.
Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion, pushed back firmly. The 34-year-old Dagestani fighter, who holds a 28-1-0 record and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, said he accepted the fight when it was offered to him. He placed the blame squarely on Topuria's camp, alleging that the Georgian's side demanded an excessive purse and that the UFC declined to proceed on those terms. Makhachev went further, stating that even Topuria's own manager had confirmed the money was the sticking point, and accused Topuria and his team of deliberately misrepresenting the situation.
The exchange has drawn significant fan engagement, with neither side showing signs of backing down.
Why it matters
- The dispute puts a potential super-fight between two reigning champions in an uncertain light, with both sides now publicly at odds over what actually derailed talks.
- Makhachev's accusation that financial demands ended negotiations could complicate future matchmaking between the two.
- Separately, middleweight champion Sean Strickland, 35, who carries a 31-7-0 record and lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute, received public backing ahead of his bout with Khamzat Chimaev, with Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce both voicing support and placing their confidence in Strickland.
