Overview
- Islam Makhachev wrote on X Tuesday that he accepted a White House fight with Ilia Topuria, then said Topuria asked for an “unrealistic purse” and “pulled out” after the UFC declined.
- UFC CEO Dana White has said a Makhachev–Topuria matchup was never planned for the card and confirmed Makhachev has hand issues, with his team targeting a July return.
- Topuria is officially booked to face interim champion Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification headliner at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 on the White House South Lawn, with President Trump expected cageside.
- In Spanish interviews, Topuria warned Trump “don’t blink” and predicted a first-round knockout, citing Gaethje’s come-forward style as a risk against his counter power.
- Topuria leans on a recent run of knockouts over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira, a surge that fuels interest in future superfights even as the public back-and-forth with Makhachev continues.