Ilia Topuria did not hold back after a bout with Islam Makhachev at UFC Freedom 250 fell apart. The event will take place at the White House on Jun. 14 and will be headlined by Topuria. However, he will now face Justin Gaethje instead of Makhachev.
The fight card was unveiled at UFC 326 last weekend. Many of the fighters admitted that they did not know whether they would be on the card until recently.
Topuria and Makhachev have been linked to a fight for well over a year. After ‘El Matador’ vacated the featherweight title to move up to lightweight, the Dagestani did the same and moved up to welterweight. As a result, Topuria faced Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title instead of Makhachev.
After speculation about UFC Freedom 250 circulated on social media, Topuria confirmed he was in talks to face Makhachev. He blasted the welterweight champion and claimed he ducked him again.
“Once again, Islam [Makhachev] 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,” Topuria wrote on X.
Ilia Topuria Says Islam Makhachev Fight Was Offered First
Ilia Topuria also said the UFC offered him a bout against Islam Makhachev first, before Justin Gaethje was in talks to compete on the card.
The reigning lightweight champion recalled learning that he would compete at UFC Freedom 250. He immediately accepted a bout with Makhachev. However, the welterweight champion suffered an injury, and the plans changed the following day.
“When [the UFC] 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,” Topuria wrote on X. “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.”
Topuria Vows to Finish Gaethje at the White House
Topuria is not thrilled that a bout with Makhachev failed to materialize again and vowed to take his frustration out on Gaethje.
The lightweight title unification bout will now be on ‘El Matador’s mind as he prepares to defend his title. Topuria also took aim at Makhachev and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, saying Gaethje will have to pay for their actions.
Topuria referenced his victory over Oliveira as an indicator of Gaethje’s fate. He knocked out ‘Do Bronx’ in the 1st round to capture the vacant lightweight championship. ‘El Matador’ vowed to do the same to ‘The Highlight’ when they meet inside the octagon.
“Once again, someone else who will pay for Islam’s escape. Both of their manager is a [expletive] and also ugly as hell,” Topuria wrote on X. “Justin, see you at the White House. I’m not someone who humiliates people. It will be quick. When you wake up, everything will already be over.”
Ilia Topuria Blasts Islam Makhachev After White House Fight Falls Through