{"id":534105,"date":"2026-03-11T21:21:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T21:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/534105\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T21:21:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T21:21:10","slug":"ufc-stars-ilia-topuria-islam-makhachev-clash-over-failed-ufc-white-house-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/534105\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Stars Ilia Topuria & Islam Makhachev Clash Over Failed UFC White House Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"

Undefeated UFC star Ilia Topuria isn\u2019t impressed by the fact that a long-rumored fight with Islam Makhachev didn\u2019t come together for the upcoming White House card.<\/p>\n

Arguably the biggest name on the UFC roster at the moment, Topuria made the decision to vacate the promotion\u2019s featherweight strap last year and claimed the vacant lightweight belt with a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. <\/p>\n

Fans finally received news of when \u201cEl Matador\u201d will return to the Octagon during the broadcast for last weekend\u2019s UFC 326 card<\/a>, as Topuria will headline \u201cUFC Freedom Fights 250\u201d at The White House <\/a>when he takes on Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout. <\/p>\n

Ilia Topuria Goes Off On Islam Makhachev After UFC White House News<\/p>\n

More than a few fans were left somewhat underwhelmed by the much-hyped reveal for the UFC White House card<\/a>, and Topuria recently took to social media to claim that a fight with Makhachev was in the works before the latter champion withdrew due to an injury. <\/p>\n

Once again Islam comes up with an excuse. This time it\u2019s 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\u2019t count on me for the event, I knew it was part of the negotiation.
When they finally told me I\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) March 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOnce again Islam comes up with an excuse. This time it\u2019s 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\u2019t 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\u2019t hesitate for a second to accept the fight. Even though the fight hadn\u2019t 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\u2019s escape. Both of their manager is a b**** and also ugly as hell. Justin, see you at the White House. I\u2019m not someone who humiliates people. It will be quick. When you wake up, everything will already be over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Topuria\u2019s claim about a Makhachev injury directly conflicts with comments from UFC CEO Dana White<\/a> that the fight was never targeted for the White House event. <\/p>\n

\"Ilia<\/p>\n

Ilia Topuria (red gloves) fights Charles Oliveira (blue gloves) during UFC 317 at T-Mobile Arena. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Fans have been clamoring for a matchup between the two UFC stars dating back to their respective reigns with the featherweight and lightweight belts. Like Topuria, Makhachev also claimed a second UFC belt in his last outing when he moved up from 155 lbs. and dominated Jack Della Maddalena in a welterweight title bout at UFC 322. <\/p>\n

Islam Makhachev Delivers Scathing Response To “El Matador”<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long before Makhachev responded to Topuria\u2019s post, with the UFC lightweight champion claiming it was actually \u201cEl Matador\u201d who derailed the White House matchup. <\/p>\n

We both know who chickened out here \ud83d\ude09 you can cover your cowardice with nasty tweets, but don\u2019t worry, one day you will get what you asked for! and your fat ass manager don\u2019t have to ask for billions to fight me, we\u2019ll do it for free. https:\/\/t.co\/PTCJxG0gTv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) March 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe both know who chickened out here, you can cover your cowardice with nasty tweets, but don\u2019t worry, one day you will get what you asked for! and your fat a**manager don\u2019t have to ask for billions to fight me, we\u2019ll do it for free.\u201d<\/p>\n

Topuria briefly took the top spot in the UFC\u2019s official men\u2019s pound-for-pound rankings when he brutally knocked out former lightweight titleholder Oliveira at UFC 317, but Makhachev reclaimed the pound-for-pound crown <\/a>with his victory over Della Maddalena five months later. <\/p>\n

\"Islam<\/p>\n

Islam Makhachev (blue gloves) celebrates after defeating Jack Della Maddalena (not pictured) by unanimous decision in the welterweight championship bout during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden. | Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The lightweight title picture at least finally has some clarity with Topuria set to take on the division\u2019s interim titleholder Gaethje on June 14, but fans are still waiting to find out which fighter will challenge Makhachev for the UFC welterweight strap first. The division has no shortage of intriguing contenders<\/a>, and both Ian Machado Garry and Michael Morales have made attempts to spark fan interest in a fight with Makhachev<\/a> over the last month. <\/p>\n