Overview
- Topuria is booked to unify the UFC lightweight title against interim champion Justin Gaethje on June 14 at the White House South Lawn.
- In Monday interviews, the champion said he plans to move up next to challenge welterweight titleholder Islam Makhachev and even predicted he would take him down and submit him.
- Topuria reversed an earlier stance by saying he would accept Arman Tsarukyan as a short-notice replacement if Gaethje cannot compete.
- Tsarukyan fired back on Wednesday by calling Topuria jealous and accused him of ducking, urging him to sign for a fight after Gaethje and scoffing at the claim he could submit Makhachev.
- Reports differ on whether the UFC tried to book Topuria vs. Makhachev for the White House card, with Topuria alleging talks and a Makhachev hand issue and Dana White denying it, underscoring uncertainty about what comes after June 14.