Ilia Topuria has claimed he was “ready” to fight Islam Makhachev at the lightweight limit this summer, before the Russian’s expected welterweight move this year — labelling his arch-rival as a massive “hypocrite.
Topuria, a former undisputed featherweight kingpin, will challenge for vacant lightweight spoils at the end of next month, headlining UFC 317 in his return during International Fight Week.
And set to take on the returning former champion, Charles Oliveira, unbeaten Spanish finisher, Topuria was notably linked with a showdown for the belt against pound-for-pound number one, Makhachev.