Islam Makhachev Reveals Ilia Topuria Bout Collapsed After 'Huge Money' Demand Stalled White House Fight

Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria (Image Credits: Imagn)

Islam Makhachev Reveals Ilia Topuria Bout Collapsed After 'Huge Money' Demand Stalled White House Fight

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Pavan Sharma | Last updated Apr 30, 2026 3:02 AM ET

Ilia Topuria’s manager once confirmed that they asked the UFC for higher pay for facing Islam Makhachev at the White House card. Talking about it, Makhachev said the White House fight with Topuria fell through because “El Matador” asked for too much money.

The lightweight champion had also accused the Dagestani fighter of not accepting the fight due to injury, but Makhachev said he accepted the fight. The welterweight champion said the UFC contacted him and told him the fight was happening, and he verbally agreed. In a recent interview with Ushatayka, he said:

“They called me, confirmed the fight, I verbally agreed but they never sent me a contract. The last thing they told me was that the opponent [Topuria] was asking for some huge money. And the UFC simply turned it down. That’s how it all happened.”

Islam Makhachev says the Ilia Topuria fight at the White House fell through because Ilia asked for too much money

"They called me, confirmed the fight, I verbally agreed but they never sent me a contract.

The last thing they told me was that the opponent [Topuria] was asking… pic.twitter.com/xyNnmhy7dn
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 29, 2026

The welterweight champion accused Topuria of posting made-up stories online. However, fans and the MMA community wanted this fight to happen, as both fighters were at the peak of their careers. The Spanish fighter had also made bold claims about the Makhachev fight, saying he would submit the Dagestani fighter, which many found doubtful.

Arman Tsarukyan Doubts Ilia Topuria’s Submission Claim on Islam Makhachev

Ilia Topuria had made plenty of bold promises in his career, but one claim caught everyone’s eyes. Topuria claimed he could submit Islam Makhachev in front of Khabib Nurmagomedov. That prediction was something Arman Tsarukyan was not buying at all. During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, the Armenian fighter said:

“Submit Islam? Even Khabib cannot submit Islam. He has a better chance of knocking out Islam than submitting him. I don’t think even Khabib can submit Islam.”

"Submit Islam? Even Khabib cannot submit Islam"

Arman Tsarukyan not buying Ilia Topuria’s claim of submitting Islam Makhachev

“He has a better chance of knocking out Islam than submitting him. I don’t think even Khabib can submit Islam.”

(Via @arielhelwani ) pic.twitter.com/kWgueuewQU
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) April 23, 2026

Tsarukyan said if Topuria ever beat the Dagestani fighter, it would have to come through striking, because he didn’t believe anyone was submitting Makhachev that easily. Meanwhile, fans were still waiting for the Topuria vs. Makhachev fight, as it was one of the biggest fights in history.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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