WASHINGTON D.C. – Negotiations for a potential super-fight between UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and former champion Islam Makhachev for a UFC event at the White House were far more involved than initially suggested, according to Topuria’s manager, Malki Kawa. Kawa’s statements aim to clarify comments made by UFC CEO Dana White regarding the failed bout, revealing a late-stage offer for the matchup before Topuria was ultimately scheduled to face Justin Gaethje.
The planned UFC event at the White House, dubbed “UFC Freedom Fights 250,” is set for June 14 in Washington, D.C. The event has generated significant buzz, but the initial disappointment over the matchup—Gaethje versus Topuria—stemmed from fan expectations of a clash between Topuria and Makhachev. The situation has been further complicated by accusations from Topuria himself, who claimed Makhachev avoided the fight due to injury.
Kawa, speaking to Essentially Sports, detailed the back-and-forth negotiations with the UFC, stating that Topuria was, at one point, presented with a choice between Makhachev and Gaethje. “I will tell you the truth,” Kawa said. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there, but the reality is it all happened on Friday night at midnight…”
According to Kawa, the UFC initially informed Topuria’s team that he wouldn’t be included on the White House card. However, that position quickly shifted. “We were told that Ilia was not going to be on the fight card earlier that week,” Kawa explained. “Then we got a phone call that said, ‘Hey, if People can put a fight together, you can fight Islam or Gaethje.’”
The financial incentive was clear, Kawa added. “The bigger the fight, the more money is made… (So), we focused on getting the Islam fight.” This suggests that Topuria and his team actively pursued the matchup with Makhachev, viewing it as a more significant and lucrative opportunity than a bout with Gaethje.
Dana White had previously stated that Makhachev was in discussions for the White House event but had to withdraw due to a hand injury. Kawa’s account doesn’t dispute the injury but implies that the offer for the fight came very close to fruition. He indicated that White’s comments downplaying the possibility of the fight weren’t entirely accurate, suggesting a more serious attempt to make the bout happen.
Ilia Topuria, who vacated the UFC featherweight title to claim the lightweight belt with a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, has been vocal on social media about his frustration with the situation. On March 10, 2026, Topuria posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Once again Islam comes up with an excuse. This time it’s an injury. I always knew I would be part of the White House event. Even when the UFC told me at one point that they wouldn’t count on me for the event, I knew it was part of the negotiation.”
The situation highlights the complexities of matchmaking in the UFC, where fighter preferences, promotional goals, and unforeseen circumstances like injuries can all play a role. The UFC’s decision to ultimately pit Topuria against Gaethje, while still a high-profile matchup, clearly didn’t satisfy all parties involved.
The upcoming fight between Topuria and Gaethje is a lightweight title unification bout. Topuria (17-0) will be looking to defend the title he won against Oliveira, while Gaethje will be aiming to reclaim the interim title he currently holds. The bout promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the division’s most exciting fighters.
The failed negotiations for a fight between Topuria and Makhachev leave the door open for a potential matchup in the future. Makhachev (28-1) remains a dominant force in the lightweight division, and a clash with Topuria would undoubtedly be a major draw for the UFC. However, for now, both fighters have their own challenges to overcome.
For Topuria, the focus is on preparing for Gaethje and solidifying his position as the undisputed lightweight champion. For Makhachev, it’s about recovering from his injury and continuing his pursuit of divisional dominance. The UFC White House event, while not delivering the anticipated Topuria-Makhachev showdown, will still showcase some of the sport’s top talent to a global audience.
The UFC has not yet announced a timeline for Makhachev’s return to the Octagon. Fans will be watching closely to see if the promotion attempts to revisit the possibility of a fight between Makhachev and Topuria once Makhachev is healthy and available to compete.
What’s Next: Ilia Topuria will face Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom Fights 250 on June 14 in Washington, D.C. The event is scheduled to commence at 8:00 PM ET (00:00 UTC June 15). Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the UFC and updates on Makhachev’s recovery and future plans.
