Manager pushes back on Islam Makhachev’s claims about Ilia Topuria super-fight
· Yahoo Sports
Malki Kawa, the manager of Ilia Topuria, has responded to recent claims from Islam Makhachev about why their June fight fell through.
Makhachev has said that Topuria and his team haven’t been truthful about why the fight didn’t happen, suggesting that Topuria deliberately priced himself out to avoid it. According to the lightweight champion, it was a clear case of pulling out.
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But Kawa sees things differently. There have also been reports that Makhachev was dealing with a hand injury at the time – something he may have contradicted himself by saying he would’ve been ready to fight on 14th June.
Malki Kawa pushes back on Makhachev’s version of events in Topuria dispute
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCThe exchange between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria picked up steam recently, with the welterweight champion using social media to address why their fight won’t be happening at UFC White House.
“I’m tired of hearing made-up stories from Topuria and his team,” Makhachev wrote in a tweet that he later confirmed was his own, and not written by manager Ali Abdelaziz. “I got the call and accepted the fight at the White House.
“The next day, I was told he asked for an unrealistic purse. The UFC declined, and he pulled out. That’s it nothing more to it. Even his manager confirmed it. Ilia, stop talking. Every interview you give tells a different story. You pulled out, and you know it.”
Kawa offered a different account, stating that they informed the UFC they wouldn’t accept the original terms.
“There’s no lie,” Kawa posted on X, referencing an earlier statement from March. “We said no to both and UFC went dark. When they came back and AGREED TO THE NUMBERS, ISLAM’S HAND WAS HURT AND COULDN’T TAKE THE FIGHT.
“So to whomever is running islams account, stop the [bulls—]. When White House is over, we will continue to look for that fight. And THE MONEY THAT COMES WITH IT.”
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