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Ilia Topuria is convinced that Islam Makhachev is running from him.
Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), UFC lightweight champion, claims Makhachev was in to fight him on the UFC Freedom 250 card June 14 but faked an injury to avoid fighting him. Topuria is set to headline UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in a title-unification bout against interim champ Justin Gaethje, who's managed by Ali Abdelaziz, the same manager as Makhachev.
"Once again Islam comes up with an excuse," Topuria wrote on X. "This time it’s an injury. I always knew I would be part of the White House event. Even when the UFC told me at one point that they wouldn’t count on me for the event, I knew it was part of the negotiation. When they finally told me I would be on the White House card, they mentioned Islam and I didn’t hesitate for a second to accept the fight. Even though the fight hadn’t been officially confirmed yet, the White House card was going to be announced the next day. And when I woke, I found out that Islam had gotten injured. And then Justin Gaethje appeared. Once again, someone else who will pay for Islam’s escape. Both of their manager is a b*tch and also ugly as hell.
"Justin, see you at the White House. I’m not someone who humiliates people. It will be quick. When you wake up, everything will already be over."
Topuria's comments are contrary to UFC CEO Dana White's claim, saying that reports of Topuria vs. Makhachev were "not true" and that it "was never Islam vs. Topuria" for the White House event. White did confirm this past Sunday that Makhachev is dealing with a hand injury but didn't offer a timeline for his return to the cage.
Topuria and Makhachev have been on a collision course for a couple of years now.
More: Triple Take: Is the UFC Freedom 250 card a complete letdown?
Topuria, as he was rising up the ranks, was very vocal sbout wanting to move up from featherweight to lightweight to take Makhachev's title. Since, Topuria won and defended the belt at 145 pounds only to then vacate for a move up to lightweight. He did end up claiming the lightweight belt, but he did so in a vacant title fight against former champ Charles Olievira. Like Topuria, Makhachev vacated his belt to go for a second divisional title at welterweight. Makhachev became UFC 170-pound champ last November, dethroning Jack Della Maddalena.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Freedom 250: Ilia Topuria acuses Islam Makhachev of ducking him
Continue reading...
Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), UFC lightweight champion, claims Makhachev was in to fight him on the UFC Freedom 250 card June 14 but faked an injury to avoid fighting him. Topuria is set to headline UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in a title-unification bout against interim champ Justin Gaethje, who's managed by Ali Abdelaziz, the same manager as Makhachev.
"Once again Islam comes up with an excuse," Topuria wrote on X. "This time it’s an injury. I always knew I would be part of the White House event. Even when the UFC told me at one point that they wouldn’t count on me for the event, I knew it was part of the negotiation. When they finally told me I would be on the White House card, they mentioned Islam and I didn’t hesitate for a second to accept the fight. Even though the fight hadn’t been officially confirmed yet, the White House card was going to be announced the next day. And when I woke, I found out that Islam had gotten injured. And then Justin Gaethje appeared. Once again, someone else who will pay for Islam’s escape. Both of their manager is a b*tch and also ugly as hell.
"Justin, see you at the White House. I’m not someone who humiliates people. It will be quick. When you wake up, everything will already be over."
Topuria's comments are contrary to UFC CEO Dana White's claim, saying that reports of Topuria vs. Makhachev were "not true" and that it "was never Islam vs. Topuria" for the White House event. White did confirm this past Sunday that Makhachev is dealing with a hand injury but didn't offer a timeline for his return to the cage.
Topuria and Makhachev have been on a collision course for a couple of years now.
More: Triple Take: Is the UFC Freedom 250 card a complete letdown?
Topuria, as he was rising up the ranks, was very vocal sbout wanting to move up from featherweight to lightweight to take Makhachev's title. Since, Topuria won and defended the belt at 145 pounds only to then vacate for a move up to lightweight. He did end up claiming the lightweight belt, but he did so in a vacant title fight against former champ Charles Olievira. Like Topuria, Makhachev vacated his belt to go for a second divisional title at welterweight. Makhachev became UFC 170-pound champ last November, dethroning Jack Della Maddalena.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Freedom 250: Ilia Topuria acuses Islam Makhachev of ducking him
Continue reading...
