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UFC Superfight Rumors Dispelled: Makhachev vs. Topuria Was Never Close to Happening
The highly anticipated matchup between UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and featherweight champion Ilia Topuria was never close to becoming a reality for the upcoming UFC White House fight card, despite widespread speculation among fans and media.
According to Ali Abdelaziz, Makhachev’s longtime manager, discussions about the potential superfight collapsed almost immediately after they began, contrary to the narrative that negotiations were ongoing for what would have been one of the most significant cross-divisional bouts in recent UFC history.
“I initially received a call about Ilia Topuria fighting Islam Makhachev and was excited about the possibility,” Abdelaziz revealed in a recent interview with TMZ Sports. “But shortly after, I got another message telling me to forget about it. The fight was no longer happening.”
Perhaps most surprisingly, the talks fell apart so quickly that Makhachev himself wasn’t even informed about the potential matchup. According to Abdelaziz, the champion was asleep when the brief negotiations occurred, and by the time he woke up, the fight was already off the table.
Financial disagreements appear to be the primary reason for the collapse. Abdelaziz hinted that Topuria may have requested a purse exceeding what UFC executives were willing to offer for the championship clash, making the fight a non-starter from a business perspective.
Despite the failed negotiations, Abdelaziz maintains that a Makhachev-Topuria matchup represents “the biggest fight the UFC can make right now” and suggested it could still happen later this year. However, he also subtly questioned Topuria’s desire for the fight, adding another layer to the developing rivalry.
The UFC White House card, scheduled for June 14, marks a historic moment for the promotion as the first UFC event to be associated with the presidential residence. The card is still taking shape, with Topuria now focused on defending his featherweight title against Justin Gaethje in what promises to be an explosive matchup between two of the organization’s most exciting fighters.
For Makhachev, the path forward remains unclear. The Dagestani champion has established himself as one of the most dominant forces in UFC history, following in the footsteps of his mentor and former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Fans have been quick to speculate about potential opponents, with names like Usman Nurmagomedov and Michael Chandler frequently mentioned in social media discussions.
“Does it really matter if it’s Usman or Morales? They both lose to Islam badly,” wrote one fan, highlighting the perceived dominance of the champion. Another commented, “It’s exciting to see Islam staying active and challenging top contenders. This fight’s gonna be a real test for both him and the contender.”
Some fans have even proposed more ambitious scenarios, including potential involvement from former two-division champion Conor McGregor, whose return to the octagon would generate massive interest if paired with Makhachev on the same card.
The UFC’s championship landscape continues to evolve rapidly in 2024, with several new champions already crowned. While the Makhachev-Topuria superfight remains a tantalizing possibility for the future, both champions must first navigate their immediate challenges before a potential champion-versus-champion showdown can materialize.
For now, the UFC White House event will proceed without what would have been its most anticipated matchup, but the card still promises to deliver high-stakes action befitting its historic venue.
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9 Comments
Ah, so the Makhachev vs Topuria fight was never really close to happening after all. Shame, as it would have been a huge matchup. But good to get the facts straight from the manager’s mouth. MMA is all about speculation and rumors, isn’t it?
Glad Ali Abdelaziz cleared up the confusion around the Makhachev vs Topuria fight. Rumors can spread fast in MMA, so it’s important to get the real details from the people involved. Looking forward to seeing what’s next for these two talented fighters.
Interesting to hear the real story behind the Makhachev vs Topuria fight rumors. Sounds like it was never really close to happening after all, despite the hype. Always good to get the facts straight from the manager’s mouth.
Shame the Makhachev vs Topuria matchup didn’t pan out. Would have been a huge fight between two of the UFC’s rising stars. Guess we’ll have to wait and see what other big matchups the promotion has in store instead.
Interesting to hear the Makhachev vs Topuria negotiations fell apart so quickly. Guess the UFC had other plans in mind. Oh well, I’m sure they’ll find another high-profile matchup for these two talented fighters down the line.
So the Makhachev vs Topuria fight was never really close to happening after all. Guess we’ll have to wait for the UFC to book another high-profile matchup between two of their top young stars. Always good to get the facts straight from the source.
Fascinating to learn the behind-the-scenes story on the Makhachev vs Topuria fight negotiations. Sounds like it was just brief speculation that quickly fizzled out. MMA fans sure do love their rumors and speculation though, don’t they?
Appreciate Ali Abdelaziz providing the clarification on the Makhachev vs Topuria fight rumors. Sounds like it was just brief chatter that didn’t go anywhere. MMA fans are always eager for big cross-divisional matchups, but sometimes they don’t come to fruition.
Appreciate Ali Abdelaziz clearing up the details around the Makhachev vs Topuria fight rumors. Sounds like it was just a brief discussion that didn’t go anywhere. Guess we’ll have to wait and see what other big fights the UFC has in store for us instead.