Makhachev and Topuria Dispute Failed Superfight

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev and lightweight champion Ilia Topuria have escalated their public dispute over a potential superfight that failed to materialize for the promotion's upcoming White House event on June 14 in Washington, D.C. The two fighters, whose matchup has generated significant fan interest for over a year, are trading conflicting accounts of why negotiations broke down, with Makhachev accusing Topuria of backing out over financial demands and Topuria claiming Makhachev withdrew due to injury.

Topuria, who is now scheduled to defend his lightweight title against interim champion Justin Gaethje in the main event, stated in a recent interview with El Partidazo de COPE that the bout with Makhachev was nearly finalized. He described going to sleep expecting to face the Russian but waking up to calls informing him of a last-minute change. "It was very, very close," Topuria said. "Hours before the announcement, I got a call where they told me Islam was out with an injury, and I was fighting Justin Gaethje." In another appearance with MARCA, Topuria expressed confusion over Makhachev's decision, calling his team "weird people, strange people."