UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is set to headline Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, and has a message for the man he’s headlining the show against.
And also for the man he would rather be fighting.
On Tuesday, “El Matador,” a former featherweight champion in the company who moved to lightweight last year, posted a pointed message on social media directed at Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje.
UFC CEO and President Dana White revealed on Sunday that Makhachev had a hand injury, and was never considered for the White House card as a result.
Topuria considers that an excuse. The Georgian-Spanish fighter has targeted a fight with Makhachev since he was featherweight champ. Just as Topuria moved to lightweight, Makhachev jumped up to welterweight. Both won titles in their new homes after vacating their previous belts.
“Once again Islam comes up with an excuse. This time it’s an injury. I always knew I would be part of the White House event. Even when the UFC told me at one point that they wouldn’t count on me for the event, I knew it was part of the negotiation,” wrote Topuria in a post on social media on Tuesday. “When they finally told me I would be on the White House card, they mentioned Islam and I didn’t hesitate for a second to accept the fight. Even though the fight hadn’t been officially confirmed yet, the White House card was going to be announced the next day. And when I woke, I found out that Islam had gotten injured.”
“And then Justin Gaethje appeared. Once again, someone else who will pay for Islam’s escape,” Topuria continued. “Both of their manager is a b*tch and also ugly as hell.”
“Justin, see you at the White House. I’m not someone who humiliates people. It will be quick. When you wake up, everything will already be over.”
Gaethje and Makhachev are represented by the same management team, Dominance MMA.
