Even before moving up to lightweight and becoming a two-division UFC champion, Ilia Topuria had his crosshairs onIslam Makhachev. However, to date, this superfight has not materialized.

In 2025, Topuria vs. Makhachev was nearly a done deal until Jack Della Maddalena dethronedBelal Muhammad, after which the Russian fighter, who had already defended his 155-pound strap four times, decided to move up to welterweight.

Topuria, on the other hand, vacated his featherweight throne, and after Makhachev moved up, “El Matador” knocked out Charles Oliveira atUFC 317to become the new lightweight champion.

Makhachev also attained two-division glory after dethroning “JDM” atUFC 322. The pound-for-pound king and welterweight titleholder is expected to lock horns with Ian Machado Garry next.

Meanwhile, Topuria will be facing current and two-time interim UFC lightweight championJustin Gaethjeon June 14. After this title unification clash, the 29-year-old will either defend his title againstArman Tsarukyanor vacate it and move up to welterweight.

After the White House card was announced,rumorssurfaced that Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria was originally planned. However, it remains unclear whether the fight fell apart because Topuria asked for more money or because Makhachev was dealing with a hand injury and couldn’t get ready in time for June 14.

In the past, “El Matador” had alleged that Makhachev doesn’t want to fight him. But now he has recanted his previous statements and blamed the UFC. During an interview withVicBlends, Topuria said:

“I don’t think it’s because of [Islam] that the fight is not happening. I truly believe it’s that the UFC doesn’t want to make it happen.”

Check out Ilia Topuria’s comments below:

Ilia Topuria says he no longer thinks Islam Makhachev is ducking him… he believes the UFC just doesn't want to make that fight happen"I don't think its because of [Islam] that the fight is not happening. I truly believe it's that the UFC doesn't want to make it happen."(via…pic.twitter.com/9gKgOif9QW

Source: LowKickMMA.com