Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Islam Makhachev Fires Back at Ilia Topuria’s “Hypocrite” Jab as UFC Lightweight Drama Heats Up

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The UFC lightweight division is ablaze with tension as Islam Makhachev and traded words over Makhachev’s welterweight move. After Topuria called Makhachev “the biggest hypocrite I’ve ever seen,” for vacating his lightweight title, Makhachev fired back, escalating their rivalry ahead of UFC 317 where Topuria will face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title.

Ilia Topuria dropping quotes like prime Thanos from Infinity War 🟣 pic.twitter.com/Co1ujLgOCQ
— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) May 15, 2025

Ilia Topuria, the former featherweight title holder, vacated his 145-pound belt after knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in 2024. When he moved up, Topuria initially intended to face Makhachev at 155 pounds but was left frustrated when Makhachev vacated his lightweight title to pursue welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena, who won the belt at UFC 315 after defeating Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision. Instead, Topuria will now face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight crown at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025.

Also Read: Dricus Du Plessis Brutally Trolls Khamzat Chimaev As Nassourdine Imavov Announced As Official Back-Up

Topuria accused Makhachev of being a “Hypocrite”

In an interview, Topuria accused Makhachev of hypocrisy for dismissing a fight with him as a “smaller guy,” while now chasing a welterweight title himself. “He criticized my decision, but he’s doing the same thing,” Topuria said, adding on X, “I speak and fight. You talk and hide.”

🚨 Ilia Topuria on Islam Makhachev:

“He is the biggest hypocrite I have ever seen”

“He said he didn't want to give me the opportunity because I was the little guy, now he is the little guy looking for the same opportunity that I was looking for, a hypocrite.”

via @KOlmeneroMMA pic.twitter.com/ofgDRCLLs7
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) May 15, 2025

Makhachev fired back at Topuria’s claims

Makhachev didn’t hold back, responding on X as he tweeted, “I cleaned top list in my division, moved to next, but you ran away from (featherweight) contenders. You are a nobody in LW (lightweight) division, just a big mouth from Spain.” With a 15-fight win streak and 4 lightweight title defenses, Makhachev argues he’s earned his welterweight shot, unlike Topuria, who he claims has proven himself at 155 pounds.

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Many fans are divided in the hot topic. Some argue that Makhachev ducked a tough fight against Topuria, whereas others argue that the Georgian’s resume hasn’t justified him yet for a title fight.

As Topuria prepares for for Oliveira and Makhachev eyes Jack Della Maddalena’s title, this fued is likely far from over. A future superfight could happen between the two, if they continue winning in their respective divisions. And with Topuria recently stating that he’s not completely opposed from the idea of moving up the to welterweight division, anything is possible at this point. However, for now, we all need to focus on if Topuria can beat Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, as the Georgian is currently the heavy favorite to win the fight.

Ilia Topuria is asked if he'd consider moving up to 170:

"Of course, why not? It depends, if the fans want to see me fight at welterweight, and there's a champion the company has at the moment, why not?

I fight to entertain people. Obviously, I also have to be motivated by the… pic.twitter.com/jPOR4lGz9n
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 15, 2025

Also Read: ‘JDM Will Knock Islam Out’ – Della Maddalena’s Head Coach Breaks Down the Islam Makhachev Showdown

Ilia Topuria

Islam Makhachev

UFC

Eric Divakaran

nba

nfl

mma

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