There’s been an ongoing back-and-forth between two of the biggest stars in the UFC, with both of them accusing each other of running away. After Islam Makhachev decided to make the move to the welterweight division and fight Jack Della Maddalena, former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria claimed that Dagestan didn’t want to fight him, prompting the soon-to-be former lightweight champion to respond.

Islam Makhachev has a legitimate claim to the title of being the best lightweight ever. After all, he’s done more in his division than Ilia Topuria, who did not clear out the top 5 in the 145-pound weight class. ‘El Matador’ has already taken a jibe at Makhachev, calling him a “hypocrite,” so the latter decided to remind him about his record, but he did suggest one way in which the Georgian-Spanish could fight the Dagestan native. Well, that’s simple! Topuria needs to get a win as a 155er.

“Difference between me and you, that I cleaned top list in my division, moved to next, but you ran away from two contenders who had consecutive 5-9 wins in FW division. You are nobody in LW division, just a big mouth from Spain with nice haircut. Go get one W, and we can talk boy,” Islam Makhachev wrote on X. As expected, ‘El Matador’ did not back down from issuing a response, and again, he put Islam Makhachev on blast.

Not only did Ilia Topuria accuse Islam Makhachev of apparently ‘ducking’ him, but he also took shots at the soon-to-be former lightweight champion’s manhood. “The difference between you and me is that I am a man and you are a coward. I speak and fight. You talk and hide. Run away far, leaving no trace. [You are a little boy],” Ilia Topuria replied.

This certainly won’t be a kind of response that Islam Makhachev appreciates. The Dagestan native doesn’t like it when things get too personal and guess what? Even Dustin Poirier admitted that he said something that almost led to an altercation with Makhachev during the UFC 302 press conference. However, Ilia Topuria might be putting his focus on the wrong rival because Charles Oliveira has a warning for him.

Charles Oliveira’s warning to Ilia Topuria

As much as Ilia Topuria has his wish for a title shot, it’s the same for Charles Oliveira. He could have fought for the title in a rematch against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294, but he had to pull out due to an injury at that time. After waiting for the rematch since UFC 280, he has the opportunity, and he’s not going to let it slip away. As such, ‘Do Bronxs’ is working closely with his team to analyze Topuria and his game.

“In reality, I’m not very focused on what [Topuria] has been doing, but [rather] on what we can get and take… My team will map out Topuria so that we can see which game we can play, but the whole concern in reality is what I will be able to take into the [fight],” Charles Oliveira told a Brazilian MMA outlet recently. “We are more than prepared for this fight. [Topuria] is a tough opponent, but I know the firepower I have in my hands. I’ll go all in, I have a promise to be fulfilled, and I’m going to get this belt.”

Well, things are really getting heated between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria even though they aren’t fighting each other. But do you think we’ll get to witness this fight in the future? Also, do you think that with just over a month to go to UFC 317, Topuria should let go of his issues with Makhachev? Drop your comments below.