Ilia Topuria: Islam Makhachev fight would be 'a bit complicated' for UFC

[ASFN Admin]

Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev is arguably the biggest fight the UFC can make right now – but Topuria doesn't necessarily see it that way.

UFC champions Topuria and Makhachev have been on each other's radars for a while now, but with each fighter opting to vacate his belt to move up a weight class, they never crossed paths. Both successfully claimed UFC titles in a second division, and Topuria is willing to move up to welterweight to challenge Makhachev.

Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) was asked to put his promoter hat on when asked if a fight against Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) is the next matchup to make.

"I don't know, honestly," Topuria told Alvaro Colmenero in a translated interview (h/t MMA Pros Pick). "I think if I were a promoter, if I prioritized the business, I don't know if it's a good idea to put the two of us against each other at our peak. I've just moved up a division, and he has too. We both have our fan base, so killing Islam in this case, you're killing a Middle Eastern star. Then what's left? It's a bit complicated."

According to Topuria, the promotion had plans of making that fight at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, but Makhachev's injury prevented it from happening. Makhachev fired back by claiming that it was Topuria's demands that caused the fight to fall through.

"I’m tired of hearing made-up stories from Topuria and his team. I got the call and accepted the fight at the White House. The next day, I was told he asked for an unrealistic purse. The UFC declined, and he pulled out. That’s it nothing more to it. Even his manager confirmed it. Ilia, stop talking. Every interview you give tells a different story. You pulled out, and you know it."

I’m tired of hearing made-up stories from Topuria and his team.
I got the call and accepted the fight at the White House. The next day, I was told he asked for an unrealistic purse. The UFC declined, and he pulled out. That’s it nothing more to it.
Even his manager confirmed it.…

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) April 7, 2026

Topuria instead will face interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) in a title-unification bout. which headlines UFC Freedom 250 at The White House.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Ilia Topuria: Islam Makhachev fight bad business move for UFC

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