Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria believes that Islam Makhachev is avoiding facing him in the UFC octagon. On Saturday night, the Spaniard was announced for the main event of UFC White House, scheduled for this coming June 14th.
However, Topuria was hoping to face the Russian; instead, his opponent for this matchup will be Justin Gaethje, who—according to the Georgian-born Spaniard—will pay for the Dagestani’s escape.
On his X account, Topuria once again claimed that Makhachev made an excuse to avoid facing him, this time alleging an injury.
The Spaniard highlighted that he was always certain he would be part of the historic card, and that even when the UFC indicated at one point that they wouldn’t be counting on him for that date, he ultimately became part of the negotiations.
“Once again, Islam shows up with an excuse. This time it’s an injury. I always knew I’d be part of the White House event. Even when the UFC told me at one point that they weren’t counting on me, I knew that was just part of the negotiation,” Ilia began.
According to the featherweight champion, when they finally confirmed his presence at the event, Makhachev’s name was mentioned as a possible opponent.
Topuria stated that he didn’t hesitate to accept the fight. Even though it wasn’t official yet, the card was set to be announced the following day.
By the night before the event, the Spaniard learned that the Russian had been injured, clearing the way for the bout against Justin Gaethje.
“When they finally told me that I would be on the White House card, they mentioned Islam, and I didn’t hesitate for a second to accept the fight.”
“Even though the fight hadn’t been officially confirmed, the White House card was being announced the next day. When I woke up, I found out that Islam had been injured. Then Justin Gaethje stepped in,” Topuria continued.
In the post, Topuria took a shot at the Russian, stating that once again, another fighter would pay for his absence.
The Spaniard also criticized the Dagestani’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz—who represents both champions—and took the opportunity to send a message to Gaethje, asserting that the fight between them at La Casa Rápida will end quickly.
“Once again, someone else is going to pay for Islam’s escape. The manager for both of them is an idiot and as awful as hell. Justin, I’ll see you at the White House. I’m not someone who humiliates people. It’s going to be quick. By the time you wake up, it’ll all be over,” fired the lineal lightweight champion.
Even if his opponent isn’t the one he expected, Ilia Topuria remains confident that he will leave with his hand raised at UFC White House. Upon announcing the fight on social media, the Spaniard shared a poster of his face alongside Justin Gaethje’s.
In the post, even with an undefeated record of 17 victories in his MMA career, Ilia Topuria wrote the caption ’18-0′ accompanied by a rose emoji—a symbol that has become a recurring theme in his celebrations after emerging victorious from the octagon.
