Ilia Topuria accuses Islam Makhachev of ‘running away’ following claims he asked for too much money for UFC White House super fight

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria responded to Islam Makhachev’s claim that he ‘asked for too much money’ to fight him at the White House.

UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria will headline another massive event as he prepares to fight Justin Gaethje on the White House lawn this summer at UFC Freedom 250. Topuria vs. Gaethje is a lightweight title unification bout, after Topuria’s recent hiatus and Gaethje’s interim title win over Paddy Pimblett.

Topuria vs. Gaethje headlines an intriguing six-fight card in the nation’s capital, featuring the returns of top names like Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal, and Alex Pereira. But the lofty expectations put on the event by UFC CEO Dana White fell well short of reality following the card’s announcement.

One of the top names considered for the card was UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, who has recently traded barbs with Topuria and his team regarding alleged failed negotiations for a super fight at the White House. According to Makhachev, he was ready to fight Topuria before the UFC lightweight champion asked for ‘too much money’ in negotiations.

After Makhachev’s lengthy social media statement aimed at Topuria and his management, it didn’t take long for the UFC lightweight titleholder to respond.

Ilia Topuria hits back at Islam Makhachev over failed UFC White House talks

In a recent interview with Spanish broadcast El Hormiguero, Topuria responded to Makhachev’s lengthy tweet.

“Honestly it sounds like a lie to me. Because I know the truth,” Topuria said of Makhachev’s claims.

“And first of all, one athlete shouldn’t care about what another athlete asks for. I don’t count anyone else’s money. Whatever my opponent earns, god bless him. He had excuses once, now he has excuses a second time, and we’re here.

“It definitely looks [like he’s running away],” Topuria continued. “I think that fight has to happen at some point. But at the same time, I don’t know how interested the UFC really is in making it. Because when they truly want to finalize a fight, they make it happen. No matter who it is. They have the power to do it.”

UFC CEO Dana White recently shut down Makhachev’s narrative, addressing the notion that Topuria asked for too much money as ‘not true’. As Topuria prepares to fight Gaethje, and Makhachev prepares to defend the UFC welterweight title, don’t be surprised if these two UFC superstars remain on a collision course for a future showdown.

What is your prediction for a potential Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev fight? Let us know in the comments!