Islam Makhachev’s manager says next UFC title defense ‘done deal’ for the summer, Ilia Topuria fight never close to happening
MMA Fighting • • sports
Key Points:
- A superfight between welterweight champion Islam Makhachev and lightweight champion Ilia Topuria was considered but never seriously pursued by the UFC, according to Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz.
- The UFC initially inquired about the fight but quickly withdrew the offer before Abdelaziz could discuss it with Makhachev, who has a welterweight title defense planned for mid-2026.
- Topuria will instead unify the lightweight belts against interim champion Justin Gaethje on June 14, as Topuria’s camp reportedly rejected the UFC’s financial offer for the superfight.
- Abdelaziz suggested Topuria’s reluctance stemmed from not wanting to vacate his lightweight title and from financial negotiations, implying the UFC could afford a bigger payout if the fight was a priority.
- If Topuria declined the unification bout, the UFC planned to strip him and have Gaethje face Arman Tsarukyan for the undisputed lightweight title, while Makhachev’s next welterweight challenger remains uncertain.
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