Topuria blames UFC for blocking Makhachev superfight ahead of Gaethje clash

Ilia Topuria has placed the blame squarely on the UFC for the failure to book a superfight between himself and lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, saying he believes the promotion simply has no interest in making the fight happen.

“I don’t think that it’s because of him that the fight is not happening,” Topuria told DeepCut. “I truly believe that the UFC doesn’t want to make it happen. I think so.”

Topuria and Makhachev, along with their respective managers, had been trading public statements over who bore responsibility for the bout not being scheduled for the UFC White House card on June 14. The Georgian fighter acknowledged, however, that the UFC operates on its own terms. “Trying to teach something to the UFC how to make the fights and all that, that’s a little bit difficult,” he said, “because the answer they have, which is correct, is that we don’t need your opinion. We build whatever we have in our way.”

Undefeated across his professional MMA career and a former featherweight champion, Topuria will instead face Justin Gaethje at UFC White House. Makhachev, who recently vacated the lightweight title to compete at welterweight, awaits his next challenger at 170 pounds.

Despite the appeal of a historic two-division champion clash, Topuria was clear that his sense of fulfilment does not depend on it. “For me personally, it wouldn’t change anything if this fight doesn’t happen,” he said. “He’s a double champion like me. And if you do that crossover, me and Islam, it will be one of the biggest fights in UFC history without any doubt. But if that fight never happens, I will be happy and proud about myself. I don’t need Islam to feel realized or to feel happy or to feel proud about myself.”

Topuria has previously stated he would move up to welterweight to pursue a third UFC belt against Makhachev. For now, though, a victory over Gaethje would position him as a credible contender for the 155-pound title.

He also took aim at Arman Tsarukyan, who sits among the leading lightweight contenders. Tsarukyan is currently on a five-fight winning streak in the UFC, with wins over Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush, and has also been competing in grappling and wrestling events outside the octagon. Topuria was dismissive of the Armenian fighter’s credentials. “His last fight was against Dan Hooker. He has, I don’t know, 20 losses in his professional career,” Topuria said. “Never ever in your entire life you face someone like me. I’m gonna embarrass you in front of everyone.”