Ilia Topuria doesn’t miss a chance to stir the pot, and this time, his timing might’ve pushed fans over the edge. Riding high off two division titles and a wave of dominance that’s made him one of the UFC’s biggest stars, ‘El Matador’ is already setting his sights on something unprecedented. Not just another belt. Not just another venue. But a superfight against Islam Makhachev and at the White House, no less!

In a post on Instagram by MMA Pros Pick, it was revealed that Topuria made a bold claim during an interview with journalist Giorgi Kokiashvili, stating, “I want to fight Islam Makhachev at the White House. It would be one of the biggest fights in UFC history. No one has fought for a third title. Islam finished his old division with complete dominance and changed weight classes, so I think it will be a huge, magnetic fight.”

‘El Matador’ willing “to bet” he’s on the White House card

As per the caption, the Spanish-Georgian fighter was responding to his earlier X post where he’d written, “Who wants to bet with me that I’m the main event at the White House?” To set the stage, UFC CEO Dana White has already teased the event as “the greatest fight card ever assembled.” The plan? A historic June 2026 card on the White House lawn, to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, but more specifically, to celebrate President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.

Still, White has made it clear that no negotiations have begun, and the lineup won’t start taking shape until February 2026. Despite that, Topuria is already planting his flag, envisioning a card where he headlines against the man many call the most dominant fighter alive. But here’s the issue: fans think he’s overreaching.

Topuria only has one featherweight title defense and has been out of action since knocking out Charles Oliveira in June. And with Islam Makhachev currently preparing to face Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title at UFC 322, Topuria’s ambition to jump straight to a third division has rubbed fans the wrong way. For context, Islam Makhachev’s own move up in weight came after four successful lightweight defenses, and even he has admitted that facing Topuria might be too much of a stretch, depending on his future weight management.

As per the Dagestani juggernaut, “I can’t say for sure. There’s some intrigue with Topuria. I’m also interested in that fight. Maybe it will be possible to make some kind of superfight. Now, I’ll see how much I gain after the (JDM) fight. If after the fight, in a month my weight is the same, then we can talk about it. If [the weight increases] and it was not easy anyway, I think we will have to sit down with the team to talk.”

After ending Alexander Volkanovski‘s reign and then knocking out Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, Ilia Topuria’s swagger is hard to ignore. He’s undefeated, confident, and undeniably entertaining. Yet, his habit of vacating titles rather than defending them is what has begun turning the tide of fan support against him!

Fans turn on “diva of a duck” Ilia Topuria after chasing Islam Makhachev fight at the White House

One fan wrote, “Mr once a year who hates defending wants to vacate again and jump the already packed welterweight line?” Fans echoed the frustration of seeing champions abandon divisions after a single win. Ilia Topuria’s meteoric rise is undeniable, but critics say it’s come at the cost of division stability. The comment captures the growing fatigue with ‘belt hopping,’ especially since contenders like Arman Tsarukyan, Paddy Pimblett, and Justin Gaethje still await their shots at 155 lbs.

Another fan posted, “What happened to winning a belt and defending it? Every champ now seems to want to move up the second they win it.” It’s a sentiment that’s spreading fast. With even Khamzat Chimaev vying for Alex Pereira’s light heavyweight crown, fans fear Topuria is also chasing spectacle over legacy. The White House event might be historic, but not if it sidelines active contenders and stacks divisions with logjams.

One critic added, “What about defending the title? Dude got just 1 title defense and jumping the division while Islam and Volk defended the title 4 times and moved up…” This fan hit a nerve. Both Volkanovski and Makhachev earned respect through consistency. Topuria, meanwhile, risks being labeled a ‘paper champion’ if he doesn’t prove he can sustain a reign before chasing another division.

Another wrote sharply, “You won’t get past Arman, let alone Islam, you diva of a duck.” It’s the kind of raw fan sentiment that defines modern MMA: passionate, blunt, and often brutally honest. Many argue that Arman Tsarukyan, who’s been vocal about his frustration with title delays, deserves the next shot before any ‘superfight’ talk begins.

And finally, one fan summed up the mood perfectly with, “Dude, shut up and fight the contenders in your weight class! Dude’s obsessed with Islam.” It’s a jab not just at Ilia Topuria‘s bravado, but at his fixation on headline moments. For many fans, the sport’s beauty lies in the climb, not just the crown.

Ilia Topuria’s confidence has always been his greatest weapon and his biggest gamble. Every bold claim, every callout, every viral soundbite adds to the legend he’s trying to build. But this time, the fan backlash tells a different story. His desire to headline the White House card against Islam Makhachev isn’t being read as ambition; it’s being seen as arrogance. And in a sport that worships hard-earned legacy, that perception can be just as damaging as a loss!