Despite Islam Makhachev and Kevin Lee continuously going back and forth, they will not fight each other next.
Instead, Lee (18-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) was booked Tuesday against Charles Oliveira in the UFC on ESPN+ 28 headliner in Brasilia, Brazil.
And in the wake of the announcement, Makhachev (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) took to Twitter and accused Lee of ducking him.
@MoTownPhenom so much talking, but you choose easy way out
Lee made an emphatic return back to lightweight, when he knocked out undefeated Gregor Gillespie in the first round at UFC 244. He continued to express interest in a fight with Makhachev, suggesting UFC 249 in Brooklyn, the card that is headlined by UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson on April 18.
Makhachev, on the other hand, has won his last six fight, but he is yet to face a top-ranked lightweight. He was hoping Lee would be that opportunity, but it appears he will have to wait.
Islam Makhachev blasts Kevin Lee for taking 'easy way out' against Charles Oliveira