Remember the White House fight that fell apart just a day before the card was revealed on the UFC 326 broadcast? The same one Dana White spoke about during a livestream with Nina Drama. Well, as it turns out, it didn’t involve Jon Jones. Instead, the fight was supposed to be between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev.
The news of this potential matchup had fans buzzing with excitement. Both Topuria and Makhachev are highly skilled fighters with impressive records. Topuria, a rising star in the featherweight division, has a perfect record of 11-0 with 8 finishes. Makhachev, on the other hand, is a dominant force in the lightweight division with a record of 20-1 and a current 8-fight win streak.
However, just when fans thought they were going to witness an epic showdown between these two talented fighters, the fight fell through. And now, a viral report has surfaced accusing Makhachev of ducking Topuria.
The report claims that Makhachev was offered the fight against Topuria but turned it down, citing various reasons such as not being ready for a fight, wanting a higher-ranked opponent, and even claiming that Topuria was not a big enough name for him to fight. This has caused a stir among fans and has led to many questioning Makhachev’s integrity as a fighter.
But before we jump to conclusions, let’s take a step back and look at the facts. Firstly, Makhachev has never been one to back down from a challenge. Throughout his career, he has faced tough opponents and has always come out on top. So, the idea of him ducking a fight seems highly unlikely.
Secondly, Makhachev is currently ranked #5 in the lightweight division, while Topuria is ranked #14 in the featherweight division. It’s understandable that Makhachev would want to fight someone higher up in the rankings to further solidify his position as a top contender in the division. It’s not a matter of disrespect towards Topuria, but rather a strategic move to advance his career.
Moreover, Makhachev has been very vocal about wanting to fight Tony Ferguson, who is currently ranked #6 in the lightweight division. This shows that he is not afraid to take on tough opponents and is actively seeking out challenging fights.
So, why did the fight between Makhachev and Topuria fall through? The most likely reason is that it simply didn’t make sense for either fighter at this point in their careers. Makhachev is on the cusp of a title shot, and a loss to Topuria could potentially set him back. On the other hand, Topuria is still building his name in the UFC and a loss to Makhachev could hinder his progress.
It’s also worth noting that Makhachev is currently recovering from a knee injury and is not expected to return to the octagon until later this year. This could have been a factor in his decision to turn down the fight.
In the end, it’s important to remember that the UFC is a business, and matchmaking decisions are not solely based on rankings or skill level. There are many factors at play, including timing, injuries, and marketability. So, it’s unfair to accuse Makhachev of ducking a fight without knowing all the details.
In fact, Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has come out and denied the allegations, stating that Makhachev is not afraid to fight anyone and that the decision to turn down the fight was a mutual one between him and the UFC.
In conclusion, the viral report accusing Makhachev of ducking Topuria seems to be nothing more than a baseless rumor. Both fighters are highly skilled and have bright futures ahead of them in the UFC. Let’s not let this incident overshadow their talents and achievements. Instead, let’s look forward to seeing them both in action in the octagon, against opponents that make sense for their careers.