Ilia Topuria criticized Islam Makhachev for vacating the lightweight belt to move to welterweight, accusing him of hypocrisy and cowardice, while Makhachev defended his decision and challenged Topuria’s credibility in the lightweight division.
Ilia Topuria’s got some words for Islam Makhachev. Both fighters were in the spotlight after Dana White’s big reveal. Makhachev’s leaving the lightweight belt behind to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. Meanwhile, Topuria’s set to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight championship at UFC 317 on June 28, wrapping up International Fight Week.
In an interview with EuroSport, Topuria didn’t hold back when asked about not fighting Makhachev for the lightweight title. “He’s the biggest hypocrite I’ve ever seen,” he said. “He wouldn’t give me a shot because I was ‘the smaller guy,’ and now he’s doing the same thing. Hypocrisy at its finest.”
A reporter brought up a comment from Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, suggesting Topuria should “thank” Makhachev for vacating the title. Topuria fired back, saying, “He should thank me for not beating his star. They snuck him out the back door. Everyone knows it.”
Topuria continued, “From the start, they never agreed to fight. Always said I didn’t deserve it. They just did themselves a favor by escaping in time.”
Makhachev responded on social media, insisting he wanted Topuria to get a win at lightweight first. “Difference between me and you,” he wrote, “I cleaned my division’s top list, moved on. You ran from contenders in FW. You’re just a big mouth from Spain.”
Topuria, never one to back down, replied, “The difference between you and me is that I am a man and you are a coward. I speak and fight. You talk and hide.” The feud continues, with no sign of slowing down.