Islam Makhachev says Ilia Topuria asked for $20 million

Islam Makhachev says Ilia Topuria priced himself out of their fight by demanding $20 million to compete at the UFC's White House event.

The UFC welterweight champion told Russian MMA journalist Adam Zubayraev he immediately accepted the bout when offered, only for talks to collapse after Topuria's team submitted what he described as an eight-figure request. "I got a call in the morning and was offered the fight," Makhachev said, per MMA Fighting. "I agreed without asking for anything. They offered me the fight themselves, with a higher purse. Then the next morning they called back and said that Topuria wanted something like $20 million. He was turned down."

Topuria's manager confirms salary dispute derailed fight

Malki Kawa, who represents the then-lightweight champion, addressed the situation in a social media post shortly after Topuria was instead matched with Justin Gaethje for the historic June card. Kawa confirmed money factored into the decision, stating the UFC's offer "never will happen" when he was presented with the choice between Makhachev and Gaethje. He claimed Makhachev was never a realistic option despite initially requesting that fight. Topuria later told reporters he believed the UFC itself did not want the matchup to happen, though he offered no further explanation.

Makhachev dismissed any suggestion that a hand injury prevented him from taking the bout. "When [Topuria] claims that I pulled out because of the hand injury, it had nothing to do with the hand," he told Red Corner MMA. "I said yes right away, without asking for more money and stuff like that." He added that he could produce text exchanges with his manager Ali Abdelaziz documenting the timeline of events.

Topuria went on to lose his lightweight title to Gaethje in an upset at the White House event. Makhachev defends his welterweight strap against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Islam Makhachev reveals Ilia Topuria salary demand that caused fight to fall through | MMA Fighting