Ilia Topuria does not back down from Makhachev: "You're a coward..."

Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev have sparked a heated exchange on social media. Although the fight between the two won't be held in an octagon for the time being, the blood is beginning to flow. Following Jack Della Maddalena's victory over Belal Muhammad, Makhachev has decided to move up to welterweight in search of his second belt. This has altered the UFC's plans for International Fight Week, pairing the Spanish-Georgian with Oliveira and causing the Russian to vacate the title.

Makhachev's "evasion" hasn't sat well with Topuria, who called him a "hypocrite" at the WOW 19 press conference . "He told me he didn't want to give me the opportunity because I was the little guy, and now he's the little guy, looking for the same opportunity I was looking for. He was criticizing my decision when he's doing the same thing," El Matador noted.

The networks exploded, Khabib's disciple responding forcefully in X: "The difference between you and me is that I swept my division and moved on to the next one, but you walked away from two contenders who had 5-9 consecutive wins in the featherweight division. You're nobody in the lightweight division, just a loudmouth from Spain with a good haircut. Get a win and we can talk, kid." Once the fuse was lit, Ilia Topuria wasn't going to be the last to burn.

"The difference between you and me is that I'm a man and you're a coward . I talk and fight, you talk and hide. Run away, without a trace," Topuria responded bluntly. The truth is that most mixed martial arts (MMA) fans dreamed of seeing that fight. However, the door isn't completely closed. First, Makhachev points out that after a victory they could talk. For his part, El Matador doesn't rule out the possibility of storming the welterweight division in the future . If things continue as they are, the ultimate clash could happen in the near future: Ilia Topuria, as lightweight champion, against Islam Makhachev, as welterweight king. Both with double champion status. Only time will tell.