Overview
- Islam Makhachev, who posted on X on Tuesday, accused Ilia Topuria of asking for an unrealistic purse and said Topuria pulled out of a proposed White House fight.
- Topuria has said he expected to face Makhachev before being told of an injury and a switch to Justin Gaethje, though Dana White has said that matchup was never set.
- Topuria is predicting a first-round knockout of Gaethje and even told President Donald Trump not to blink because he expects a quick finish.
- The June 14 South Lawn main event is a lightweight title unification, with Topuria holding the belt and Gaethje entering as the interim champion.
- Topuria’s confidence draws on recent knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira, and he argues Gaethje’s forward-pressing style will give him early openings.