The highly anticipated superfight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria is officially off the table. For months, fans expected the two pound-for-pound stars to headline UFC Freedom 250, an unprecedented event planned for the South Lawn of the White House.
Instead, when the UFC officially unveiled the lineup, Topuria was booked against Interim Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje, while Makhachev was nowhere to be found.
After blaming each other back and forth for backing out, the Welterweight champion finally opened up. Makhachev claimed Topuria priced himself out of the historic matchup by demanding a $20 million payday, which eventually resulted in the fight getting off.
This was not the only reason stated by either of them. Previously, Ilia Topuria accused Islam Makhachev of ducking the fight due to a hand injury. Also, at one point, Khabib Nurmagomedov warned his friend Islam not to fight at the White House card as the event would be chaotic and the atmosphere would be too distracting for Islam’s preparations.
Makhachev, however, has dismissed the injury claims. Speaking to Red Corner MMA, Islam Makhachev clarified that the hand injury accusation was untrue. He said:
I don’t have any injuries… I can show you the chats with my manager. He called me: ‘The White House event, a fight against Topuria’. And I said: ‘Let’s go’, right away.”
Makhachev later provided further details during an interview with Russian reporter Adam Zubayraev. He said the UFC offered him the matchup with a higher purse. He accepted the terms immediately without any extra demands. The following day, however, the situation flipped as UFC officials called back to pull the plug, informing Makhachev that Topuria wanted $20 million to take the bout.
I got a call in the morning and was offered the fight. I agreed without asking for anything. They offered me the fight themselves with a higher purse. Then the next morning they called back, and said that Topuria wanted something like $20M. He was turned down. That was the end of it. And a couple of hours later his manager gave an interview. He said that the money wasn’t enough for them to fight Islam, but for the same money, under their contract, they agreed to fight Gaethje.”
The UFC flatly rejected the figure. According to Makhachev, Topuria’s management then took control of the narrative. Malki Kawa reportedly claimed the financial offer was not enough to fight someone as dangerous as Makhachev. Yet, Topuria ultimately agreed to face Justin Gaethje under his existing contract terms for the exact same money.
Ilia Topuria Accused Islam Makhachev of Pulling Out Due to Injury
The fight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria is not happening, but neither of them is ready to accept the reason behind the fight falling out. Topuria has repeatedly brought up that the fight was always ducked by the Welterweight star. The accusation carried weight when Dana White himself explained that Islam is dealing with a hand injury and thus it will delay his return.
Topuria instantly reacted as he got to know Justin Gaethje would be his opponent instead of Makhachev at the White House. He accused the champion of avoiding the matchup. Topuria said:
Once again Islam comes up with an excuse. 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.”
Makhachev flatly denied the injury rumors. Instead, he placed the blame entirely on financial roadblocks, stating that the deal collapsed after Topuria’s camp demanded roughly $20 million.
With the superfight officially off the books, both men are moving in different directions. Topuria is set to step into the Octagon tonight at the White House for a high-stakes clash against Justin Gaethje. Meanwhile, Makhachev will return to business in his own division. He is currently expected to defend his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in August.
