Ian Garry has stated that Islam Makhachev declined a formal offer to fight him in May at UFC 328. Garry also claims the UFC attempted to arrange a bout between Makhachev and Ilia Topuria at the White House, which Makhachev also reportedly turned down.
Ian Garry is claiming that welterweight champion Islam Makhachev turned down a formal offer to meet him at UFC 328 in May, a charge that has not been officially confirmed by Makhachev's camp or the UFC.
Garry further alleges that the promotion attempted to broker a high-profile matchup between Makhachev and Ilia Topuria at the White House, a bout Makhachev reportedly declined as well. Both claims remain unverified, and the full context of any negotiations has not been made public.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and currently sits atop the welterweight division as champion, having also previously held lightweight gold. The Russian fighter, who trains out of Eagles MMA, carries a striking accuracy of 58 percent and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete champions on the roster. He is also ranked at the top of the pound-for-pound listings.
Topuria, ranked second at lightweight and first pound-for-pound at age 29, carries a 17-1 record and brings elite finishing ability to any potential super-fight conversation. The Spain-based Georgian averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute, representing a sharp contrast in style to Makhachev's grappling-oriented approach.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's willingness to take on challengers outside his own division is central to his legacy at this stage of his career
- A Makhachev versus Topuria matchup would be a genuine pound-for-pound collision between the sport's two most prominent fighters
- Garry's public claim, if substantiated, raises questions about who Makhachev's next opponent will actually be at welterweight
- The unconfirmed nature of the reports means the division's near-term direction remains unclear
