Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev are currently engaged in a verbal dispute.
Both fighters were central figures in Dana White`s significant announcement earlier this week. Makhachev revealed he would be vacating his lightweight championship later in the year to challenge the new welterweight belt holder, Jack Della Maddalena. Meanwhile, Topuria is scheduled to fight former champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317 on June 28th, headlining the UFC`s International Fight Week.
Speaking with EuroSport, Topuria was asked about not facing Makhachev in what will be his first opportunity for the lightweight championship.
Topuria described Makhachev as “the biggest hypocrite I`ve ever seen in my life.” He elaborated, stating that Makhachev had previously denied him a chance, citing Topuria`s smaller stature, yet now Makhachev himself is moving up to a higher weight class as the smaller competitor. Topuria found this contradictory to Makhachev`s earlier position, speculating that he might be receiving poor advice.
In a follow-up question, the reporter inquired about a comment made by Makhachev`s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who suggested Topuria should express gratitude for Makhachev moving up to 170 pounds and vacating the title.
“El Matador” quickly offered his counterpoint.
Topuria responded that, conversely, *they* should be grateful to *him* for not defeating Makhachev, thus preserving his standing and reputation. He claimed they avoided the highly anticipated fight because he was prepared, while they chose to escape, metaphorically taking “the back door.”
He further stated that Makhachev`s team consistently refused the fight, arguing that he didn`t deserve it and didn`t want to grant another smaller fighter a chance. Topuria concluded that they did him no favors; instead, they benefited themselves by avoiding the fight in order to maintain their credibility.
Upon seeing the interview clip circulating online, Makhachev responded to Topuria`s statements, maintaining his stance that Topuria needed at least one victory in the lightweight division before earning a title opportunity against him.
Makhachev drew a distinction between his actions – clearing out his own division before moving up – and Topuria`s, whom he accused of evading two ranked contenders in the featherweight division. He dismissed Topuria`s current standing in the lightweight category, calling him “nobody” and merely “a big mouth from Spain with nice haircut.” Makhachev advised him to “Go get one W, and we can talk boy.”
As expected, Topuria promptly issued his own retort in this ongoing back-and-forth.
Topuria declared the fundamental difference between them: “I am a man and you are a coward.” He asserted that “I speak and fight. You talk and hide.” He concluded by telling Makhachev to “Run away far, leaving no trace.”
