Ian Garry has stated that Islam Makhachev declined a formal offer to fight him in May at UFC 328. Garry also revealed that UFC attempted to arrange a bout between Makhachev and Ilia Topuria at the White House, but Makhachev turned that down as well.
According to Ian Garry, Islam Makhachev has turned down multiple high-profile fight offers in recent months, including a formal proposal to face Garry himself at UFC 328 in May and a separate attempt by the UFC to arrange a bout with Ilia Topuria at the White House.
Garry's claims have not been officially confirmed, and the full circumstances surrounding each declined offer remain unclear. Still, the reports point to significant behind-the-scenes activity around Makhachev and the UFC's efforts to book the welterweight champion.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1-0 record and currently reigns as welterweight champion out of Eagles MMA in Russia. The Dagestani southpaw is also ranked pound-for-pound number one, and his grappling-heavy style backs that status up on paper — he averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, while landing significant strikes at a 58 percent accuracy clip.
Topuria, 29, enters the picture as the number-one pound-for-pound contender and the second-ranked lightweight. Fighting out of Spain under the Climent Club banner, "El Matador" carries a 17-1-0 record and a reputation as one of the division's most dangerous finishers, averaging 4.81 significant strikes per minute. A cross-divisional clash between him and Makhachev would represent one of the most commercially appealing matchups in the sport right now.
Why it matters
- Makhachev declining multiple offers raises questions about his timeline for returning to action as welterweight champion
- A potential Makhachev versus Topuria superfight, teased by the White House proposal, would pit the top two pound-for-pound fighters against each other
- Garry, who claims he was formally offered the welterweight title shot, remains in limbo regarding his own divisional positioning
- Both the Topuria and Garry angles carry significant rankings implications across two weight classes
