Ilia Topuria claimed he was told he would fight Islam Makhachev and went to sleep expecting the announcement, but hours before the reveal he was informed Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Islam Makhachev responded by stating he agreed to the White House fight when offered, but the next day was told Topuria requested an enormous fee and was denied, calling Topuria's version lies. Makhachev insisted it was Topuria who refused the fight, claiming even Topuria's manager confirmed this. A fan noted Makhachev was responding at 4 AM, to which Islam replied "Today this is not him," suggesting Ali Abdelaziz typically handles his social media. The exchange highlights ongoing tension between the two champions regarding who is responsible for their fight not materializing.
A public dispute has broken out between UFC champions Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev over who bears responsibility for their anticipated superfight failing to come together for UFC 327, with both men offering contradictory accounts of events.
Topuria, nicknamed El Matador, claims he was told he would face Makhachev and went to sleep expecting a formal announcement, only to be informed hours before the reveal that Makhachev was injured and that Justin Gaethje would be his opponent instead. The 29-year-old Spaniard holds a 17-1-0 record and sits at number one in the pound-for-pound rankings, currently ranked second in the lightweight division. He averages an eye-catching 4.81 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the most active offensive fighters on the roster.
Makhachev pushed back firmly, stating he agreed to the proposed White House fight when it was offered to him. The Russian champion, 34, carries a 28-1-0 record and currently holds welterweight gold with Eagles MMA. He lands strikes at 58 percent accuracy and averages 3.2 takedowns per fifteen minutes, underlining his all-around dominance. Makhachev said he was told the following day that Topuria had demanded an enormous fee that was denied, and insisted it was Topuria who ultimately refused the bout, adding that even Topuria's own manager confirmed this version of events.
The exchange took on an additional layer when a fan pointed out that Makhachev appeared to be posting at 4 AM, prompting him to suggest that manager Ali Abdelaziz normally handles his social media accounts, implying the late-night responses were his own.
Meanwhile, Gaethje, 37, enters the picture as Topuria's confirmed opponent. "The Highlight" holds a 28-5-0 record and is the most prolific striker of the three, averaging 6.48 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Both fighters are champions, making a future superfight a rare cross-divisional title unification with significant pound-for-pound implications
- The competing narratives leave genuine uncertainty over whether financial or logistical factors caused the breakdown
- Gaethje now steps in as Topuria's opponent, a matchup between two of the division's heaviest hitters by output
