Islam Makhachev cites $20 million demand behind canceled Topuria fight

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev said Ilia Topuria’s team asked for an eight‑figure fee that halted a proposed bout. “They offered me the fight themselves, with a higher purse… then they called back and said Topuria wanted something like $20 million,” Makhachev told Russian MMA journalist Adam Zubayraev. The dispute led UFC to match Topuria with interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje at the White House event, where Topuria suffered an upset loss.

Makhachev is now focused on defending his welterweight title against top contender Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15 in Philadelphia. Speaking ahead of the fight, he described Garry as “a very tricky fighter… I don’t care about his trash talk,” and noted Garry’s back‑foot style makes opponents chase him. The champion also commented on other potential signings, indicating that financial terms would drive any move, and dismissed injury rumors as unrelated to the Topuria negotiations.