Ilia Topuria ripped Islam Makhachev for moving up from lightweight to welterweight instead of fighting him for the lightweight title.
"He's the biggest hypocrite I've ever seen in my life," Topuria said, according to MMA Fighting's Mike Heck. "He told me he wouldn't give me a chance because I was the smaller guy, and now he's the small one seeking the same opportunity I wanted. ...
"I've never seen such hypocrisy, but that's how he's being advised, I guess."
The UFC announced earlier this week that Makhachev would vacate the lightweight title to pursue a title matchup with welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena later in 2025. Topuria relinquished the featherweight belt in February in hopes of a title bout against Makhachev. Instead, "El Matador" will face Charles Oliveira for the 155-pound title at UFC 317 on June 28 in Las Vegas.
Makhachev's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, said Topuria should "thank" Makhachev for vacating the title, which didn't sit well with the fighter.
"He should thank me for not beating his star, preserving his value and credibility," Topuria said when asked about Abdelaziz's comment. "They snuck him out the back door. Everyone knows it. It was the fight everyone wanted to see. I was ready for it. I'd prepared and put everything on the table, but they backed out."
Makhachev responded on social media, suggesting that Topuria ducked fights at 145 pounds and needed to prove himself at lightweight before getting a title shot.
Difference between me and you, that I cleaned top list in my division, moved to next, but you ran away from two contenders who had consecutive 5-9 wins in FW division. You are nobody in LW division, just a big mouth from Spain with nice haircut. Go get one W, and we can talk boy
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 15, 2025
Topuria hit back, insisting that the Dagestani ran away from the challenge.
"The difference between you and me is that I am a man and you are a coward," Topuria replied. "I speak and fight. You talk and hide. Run away far, leaving no trace."
Topuria and Makhachev are No. 3 and No. 1, respectively, in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings.
