The UFC's planned super fight between lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and featherweight king Ilia Topuria has hit another public snag, with conflicting stories emerging about why their June clash fell apart. The drama adds another layer to one of the most anticipated potential matchups in the sport.

Topuria maintains that an injury to Makhachev was the primary culprit. The Georgian-Spanish champion recounted a frustrating night where everything changed while he slept. "I fell asleep one night knowing I would fight Islam," Topuria said, "then I woke up with 30 missed calls telling me I’d be fighting Gaethje." His manager has consistently pointed to Makhachev's hand injury, which UFC CEO Dana White confirmed would keep the lightweight champ sidelined until August.

Makhachev, however, tells a different tale, suggesting Topuria's financial demands priced the fight out of contention. This claim put the spotlight directly on the UFC boss. When asked on a recent stream if money was the deal-breaker, White offered a blunt rebuttal: "That’s not true," directly refuting his champion's explanation.

With the champion-versus-champion dream on hold, both men now turn to formidable challenges. Topuria will next defend his 145-pound title against the legendary Max Holloway at UFC 304. If both champions emerge victorious from their upcoming bouts, the door may finally open for this blockbuster showdown later in the year, giving fans hope that the war of words will eventually be settled inside the Octagon.