Ilia Topuria has provided fresh insight into his long-awaited showdown with Islam Makhachev, offering a new timeline for when the fight could finally happen.
The clash remains one of the most anticipated matchups in the UFC and it was close to becoming reality for UFC Freedom 250, scheduled to take place at the White House on 14 June.
However, plans collapsed shortly before the official announcement, with conflicting accounts emerging.
Topuria has shared his version of events, shedding light on how close the fight came to being finalised and what may come next.
Ilia Topuria reveals he hopes Islam Makhachev fight could happen later this year
Speaking to One On One MMA, the Spanish star explained that he was initially set to face Makhachev before a last-minute change in the White House card, detailing how the situation unfolded.
“Actually, it was about to happen, because, before I got the confirmation to fight against Justin, I was supposed to fight against Islam,” he began by saying.
“Dana said that he was about to make the announcement of the White House card. And myself, from the call that I got from the UFC, I knew that I was fighting Islam, because the first fight that they offered me, it was against Islam.”
‘El Matador’ then added that everything changed overnight.
“So I went to sleep, and in the middle of the night, I get like, I don’t know, a hundred calls from the UFC, saying like, ‘Listen, he’s injured, and you’re going to face Justin Gaethje.’ Hours before the announcement of the card, I was supposed to fight against Islam. That fight was this close to happen,” the Spaniard stated.
However, looking ahead, Topuria remains optimistic, as he said: “I think [the fight against Makhachev] is going to happen at some point. I hope so, at least. And hopefully it’s going to happen at the end of the year. After this fight, who knows? Maybe we are going to get that fight, finally.”
Dana White backs Ilia Topuria’s version over Islam Makhachev’s claim
Dana White recently addressed the conflicting accounts over the negotiations for Makhachev vs Topuria during an appearance on Adin Ross’ stream.
He stated that the claim Makhachev made, suggesting the ‘El Matador’ pulled out due to financial disagreements, “is not true”.
That stance supports Topuria’s account and places the Dagestani star and his manager Ali Abdelaziz under increased scrutiny regarding how the negotiations unfolded.
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