Islam Makhachev has returned to the claims of Ilia Topuria that he ran from a fight with him.
The UFC Lightweight Champion was expected to defend his belt against Ilia Topuria on UFC 317 on June 28, but everything changed when his teammate, Belal Muhammad, lost his welterweight title on UFC 315 on Saturday evening.
UFC CEO Dana White announced that Islam Makhachev would leave his belt and go up to see the new 170 pound champion, Jack della Maddalena.
In his absence, Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira was booked for the vacant belt of 155 pounds next month.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Islam Makhachev closes Ilia Topuria
On Thursday, Ilia Topuria noticed Islam Makhachev a 'hypocritical' and a 'liar' during an angry tirade about their failed fight.
When images of the comments started to circulate online, the 27-1 Russian hunter returned relentlessly.
“Difference between me and me, that I cleaned the top list in my division, went to the next one, but you ran away from two contenders who had consecutive 5-9 victories in the FW division,” tweeted Makhachev Thursday.
“You are no one in LW Division, just a big mouth of Spain with a beautiful hairstyle.
“Go get a w, and we can talk, boy.”
Difference between me and me, that I cleaned the top list in my division, went to the next, but you ran away from two contenders who had consecutive 5-9 victories in the FW division. You are no one in LW Division, just a big mouth of Spain with a beautiful hairstyle. Get a w there, and we can talk boy
– Makhachev Islam (@makhachevmma) 15 May 2025
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What did Ilia Topuria say?
Topuria had a problem with the recent comments from Makhaachaters about their fight.
Ali Abdelaziz claimed that a deal had almost been agreed before Mohammed lost on UFC 315.
“They lie, they are liars, that is a complete lie, that's not the truth,” said Topuria in Spanish during a WOW 19 -press conference in Alicante. “But at the same time I understand, because that is their job. Their task is to clean up the mess that their customers leave behind, right?
'[Makhachev] is the biggest hypocrite I have ever seen. He told me he didn't want to give me the chance because I was the little man and now he is the little man, he is looking for the same chance that I was looking for.
“So, how can you criticize a decision, an action by mine, if you do the same now?
“I have never seen hypocrisy in my life again.”