TLDR
- Ilia Topuria claims he was supposed to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC White House but was told Makhachev got injured
- Islam Makhachev denies injury and says Topuria demanded an unrealistic purse that UFC declined
- Topuria’s manager confirmed the issue came down to finances and numbers
- Dana White denied the Makhachev-Topuria fight was ever officially planned for the White House event
- Topuria will now fight Justin Gaethje at UFC White House to unify the lightweight titles
Sources: middleeasy.com | mmafighting.com
UFC champions Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria are trading accusations over a failed fight booking for UFC White House. The two fighters have offered conflicting versions of why their anticipated matchup never materialized.
Topuria recently told ABC that he was scheduled to fight Makhachev at the White House event. He said he received a call from the UFC while in the Dominican Republic about potentially fighting Makhachev at the historic venue.
“Dana White came out saying that he would announce the entire card in two days, so I said that if I were there, it would be against Islam,” Topuria explained. “Suddenly, they called me to tell me that Islam had been injured and that he would be fighting Justin Gaethje.”
The featherweight champion suggested the UFC initially told him they wouldn’t count on him for the White House fight. He described the situation as part of typical negotiation tactics.
We both know who chickened out here 😉 you can cover your cowardice with nasty tweets, but don’t worry, one day you will get what you asked for! and your fat ass manager don’t have to ask for billions to fight me, we’ll do it for free. https://t.co/PTCJxG0gTv
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) March 10, 2026
Makhachev Denies Injury Claims
Makhachev quickly responded to Topuria’s comments with a different story. The welterweight champion said he accepted the White House fight but claims Topuria demanded too much money.
“I’m tired of hearing made-up stories from Topuria and his team,” Makhachev wrote. “I got the call and accepted the fight at the White House. The next day, I was told he asked for an unrealistic purse.”
Makhachev said the UFC declined Topuria’s financial demands and that Topuria pulled out as a result. He accused Topuria of telling different stories in every interview.
“Ilia, stop talking. Every interview you give tells a different story. You pulled out, and you know it,” Makhachev stated.
Topuria’s manager, Malki Kawa, confirmed that his fighter accepted fights with both Makhachev and Gaethje. However, Kawa said the issue came down to “numbers and finances.”
I’m tired of hearing made-up stories from Topuria and his team.
I got the call and accepted the fight at the White House. The next day, I was told he asked for an unrealistic purse. The UFC declined, and he pulled out. That’s it nothing more to it.
Even his manager confirmed it.…— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) April 7, 2026
White House Event Moves Forward Without Superfight
UFC CEO Dana White has denied that the Makhachev-Topuria fight was ever officially planned for the White House event. Instead, Topuria is now scheduled to unify his lightweight title against interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC White House.
The two champions have been feuding publicly for over a year. Topuria has consistently claimed that Makhachev is avoiding a fight with him, while Makhachev says he has never turned down the opportunity.
Both fighters have moved up weight classes during their time in the UFC. Makhachev currently holds the welterweight title after previously dominating the lightweight division.
Topuria now holds a lightweight title after making his name at featherweight. The Georgian-Spanish fighter has been vocal about wanting to prove himself against Makhachev.
Makhachev has yet to receive a booking for his next welterweight title defense. The champion is expected to return to action sometime this year.
