Islam Makhachev reveals Ilia Topuria salary demand that caused fight to fall through

Islam Makhachev has publicly blamed Ilia Topuria and his management team for the failure to book a highly anticipated welterweight title showdown, now revealing the specific financial demand that torpedoed negotiations.

The fight was being discussed for the historic UFC White House event in Washington, D.C., which ultimately saw Topuria defend his lightweight title against interim champion Justin Gaethje—a bout that produced a stunning upset victory for Gaethje. Prior to that announcement, Makhachev's team expressed strong interest in the matchup, with the UFC reportedly offering the welterweight champion an increased purse to move up in weight and challenge Topuria for unification glory.

According to Makhachev's account to Russian journalist Adam Zubayraev, he accepted the fight immediately without negotiating. However, when Topuria's camp countered with a demand in the region of $20 million, the UFC declined and ended discussions. Topuria's manager, Malki Kawa, later disputed this narrative via social media, claiming the UFC offered an insufficient sum and that Topuria ultimately chose to fight Gaethje at the same contracted rate rather than face Makhachev at what his team considered an inadequate pay level.

Both sides have accused the other of avoiding the matchup. Topuria himself suggested the UFC was unwilling to make the fight happen, without elaborating. Makhachev countered suggestions that a hand injury prevented his participation, stating he agreed to the bout without hesitation and that his availability was never in question.

Makhachev's next assignment is a welterweight title defense against top contender Ian Machado Garry scheduled for UFC 330 in Philadelphia on August 15. The failed negotiation underscores the ongoing tension between fighter compensation demands and promotional budgets, a recurring flashpoint in modern UFC deal-making, particularly for high-profile championship unifications.