TLDR
- Dana White denied that Ilia Topuria’s pay demands prevented a fight with Islam Makhachev
- Topuria’s manager says Makhachev was never actually available due to a hand injury
- The UFC offered Topuria a choice between Makhachev and Gaethje, but Makhachev couldn’t fight
- Makhachev is out until August with a hand injury, ruling out the June event
- Topuria will defend his title against Justin Gaethje at UFC White House on June 14
Sources: themaclife.com | mmafighting.com
UFC President Dana White has rejected claims that Ilia Topuria’s financial demands prevented a superfight with Islam Makhachev from happening. The proposed matchup for a June event fell apart, leading to conflicting stories about what went wrong.
White addressed the situation during an appearance on Adin Ross’ Kick stream. “That’s not true,” White said when asked if money was the issue that stopped the fight.
Makhachev had suggested negotiations broke down because Topuria asked for too much money. However, Topuria’s manager Malki Kawa painted a different picture of how things unfolded.
Ilia Topuria explains his confidence in securing a spot on the White House card and it's ice cold 🥶🔥
"If a company is going to show off the products that they have, I consider myself one of the best products the UFC has, so I had to be on that card."
Via: One one One MMA pic.twitter.com/SiLKQTij8Y
— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) April 9, 2026
Timeline of the Failed Negotiations
Kawa explained the process began when the UFC contacted him about using Topuria for the White House card. He was initially told Topuria would not be needed for the event.
Two days later, the UFC called back with an offer. Kawa said they gave Topuria a choice between fighting Justin Gaethje or Islam Makhachev.
“They said, ‘OK, great. We’ll give you x number to fight him. And I said, ‘Bro, you know that never will happen,'” Kawa said on Instagram live. He immediately chose the Makhachev fight despite the offered pay.
The talks continued until the night before the card would be announced at UFC 326 in March. Kawa received a late-night call at 11:59 p.m. asking if Topuria would take the fight.
When Kawa asked if it was Makhachev, he learned the lightweight champion could not fight. “Islam can’t fight, his hand is messed up,” Kawa recalled being told.
The overnight negotiations that followed were for the Gaethje fight instead. “Islam Makhachev was never an actual option,” Kawa stated.
Makhachev’s Injury Status
White confirmed that Makhachev is currently dealing with a hand injury. The lightweight champion is not expected to return to competition until August, ruling him out of the June event.
This injury timeline supports Kawa’s version of events. The fight could not happen because Makhachev was physically unable to compete, not due to financial disagreements.
Kawa defended his negotiating position for a potential future Makhachev fight. “Everyone agrees that Islam and Ilia might be the biggest fight in UFC history. Don’t you think it should have the biggest pay day in UFC history?” he said.
He clarified that he did not ask for unreasonable amounts. “It’s not like I asked for $100 million. I didn’t ask for $50 million. I asked for a number that I think is super reasonable,” Kawa explained.
Topuria will now defend his title against Justin Gaethje at UFC White House on June 14. Gaethje won the interim lightweight championship by defeating Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January.
Kawa said Topuria still wants the Makhachev fight after facing Gaethje. He even mentioned interest in moving up to welterweight to fight Makhachev at 170 pounds for a third belt.
The possibility of the superfight happening remains open depending on Makhachev’s recovery timeline. Any future negotiations would need to address the pay structure that both sides can agree on.
