TLDR
- Islam Makhachev claims UFC turned down a proposed fight against Ilia Topuria at the White House due to money disagreements
- The lightweight champion says the promotion rejected the historic event over financial concerns
- Some reports suggest Topuria made unrealistic money demands for the White House card
- Neither fighter has confirmed their next opponent or fight date
- The White House venue would have been unprecedented in UFC history
Sources: Bloody Elbow | ny fights
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev claims the promotion turned down a proposed fight against featherweight champion Ilia Topuria at the White House due to financial disagreements.
The potential superfight between the two champions was reportedly being discussed for a special event at the White House. However, Makhachev says the UFC rejected the idea over money concerns.
According to Makhachev, the promotion cited financial reasons for not moving forward with the historic event. The Russian champion has been vocal about wanting to face Topuria in what would be a champion-versus-champion matchup.
Islam Makhachev claims 'UFC turned down' Ilia Topuria White House fight over money https://t.co/iy995bNfF6 pic.twitter.com/HWhrPmXcEv
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) April 30, 2026
Conflicting Accounts About Money
Makhachev’s version of events differs from other reports about who made unrealistic financial demands. Some sources suggest Topuria himself asked for too much money to make the White House fight happen.
The featherweight champion has not publicly responded to these claims. Topuria has been calling for big-money fights since winning his title earlier this year.
The White House venue would have been unprecedented in UFC history. No major MMA promotion has ever held an official event at the presidential residence.
Makhachev has successfully defended his lightweight title multiple times since winning it in 2022. He is currently considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
Topuria captured the featherweight championship by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski. The Georgian-Spanish fighter has been undefeated throughout his UFC career.
What Happens Next for Both Champions
The lightweight champion is expected to defend his title against other top contenders in his division. Makhachev has been campaigning for superfights but may need to face mandatory challengers first.
Topuria will likely need to make his first title defense against a featherweight contender. The division has several fighters waiting for their shot at the championship.
Neither fighter has confirmed their next opponent or fight date. The UFC has not made any official announcements about upcoming title fights for either division.
The White House fight idea appears to be dead for now. It remains unclear if the concept could be revived under different financial terms.
Makhachev trains under Khabib Nurmagomedov and has followed a similar path to dominance. His wrestling-heavy style has proven difficult for opponents to solve.
Topuria brings knockout power and well-rounded skills to the octagon. His striking ability has made him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the featherweight division.
Both champions have expressed interest in legacy-defining superfights. However, the financial aspects of making such events happen continue to be a barrier.
The UFC has not publicly commented on Makhachev’s claims about the White House event. The promotion typically does not discuss internal negotiations or rejected fight proposals.
