Overview
- Ilia Topuria will defend his lightweight title against interim champion Justin Gaethje on June 14 at the UFC’s White House event.
- Dana White rejected Islam Makhachev’s assertion that Topuria priced himself out, saying the welterweight champion is not fighting in June due to a hand issue and is expected back later in the summer.
- Topuria’s manager, Malki Kawa, said the UFC first offered Makhachev or Gaethje at a price they declined, then returned late in the week to negotiate only Gaethje after he was told Makhachev could not compete.
- Makhachev has continued to claim Topuria asked for an unrealistic purse, while Ian Machado Garry questioned the injury timeline and urged Makhachev to fight him in August.
- HBO Max will release Los Topuria in June, though reports conflict on the runtime, with some noting three 50‑minute episodes and others citing three 5‑minute episodes.