Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev has gone back and forth on social media over the UFC's recent bombshell announcement.

The pair of top pound for pound fighters could have had a superfight over the summer that now appears dead in the water

As such, Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes clashed over the vacant 145lb title in April, with former champion Volk – whom Topuria dethroned last year – reclaiming his throne. Now, it is Makhachev’s vacant title that is up for grabs as Topuria faces Oliveira.