Makhachev mocks Topuria for quitting stool after Gaethje snatches lightweight title

Islam Makhachev wasted no time in mocking Ilia Topuria after Justin Gaethje claimed the UFC lightweight title at the White House on June 15, with the welterweight champion posting a pair of pointed messages on X that called out Topuria’s pre-fight bravado and his decision to quit on the stool.

Topuria (17-1) had entered UFC White House — formally billed as UFC Freedom 250 — as the undisputed lightweight champion, defending against interim titleholder Gaethje (28-5) in the main event. In the build-up, “El Matador” repeatedly guaranteed a first-round knockout, claimed he had a prediction video ready to release after the fight, and celebrated his expected victory with friends and family the night before the bout. Gaethje had other ideas, ultimately forcing Topuria to quit on the stool in what proved to be one of the most significant upsets in recent lightweight history.

Makhachev, who holds the UFC welterweight title and has long been linked with a potential super-fight against Topuria, offered congratulations to Gaethje while making his feelings about the Georgian-Spaniard’s downfall abundantly clear.

“He who exalts himself will be humbled! There’s levels in this game! Congratulations Justin, you deserve this belt more than anyone!” Makhachev wrote on X.

A second post twisted the knife further, targeting Topuria’s corner retirement specifically. “To quit in the biggest fight of your career - is something not everybody can do,” Makhachev wrote, sarcastically adding: “Real Le Layenda.”

The result effectively ends — or at least indefinitely delays — a long-anticipated matchup between Makhachev and Topuria. The former champion had been eyeing a move up to welterweight to challenge Makhachev if he got past Gaethje, a scenario that now appears unlikely given the defeat.

Gaethje’s win carries a notable historical echo. In 2020, he claimed the interim lightweight title by handing Tony Ferguson a brutal beating — a loss from which Ferguson never recovered, eventually retiring on an eight-fight losing streak. The victory over Topuria now represents the defining moment of Gaethje’s career, and Makhachev, for one, believes the belt is in the right hands.