UFC President Dana White spoke out to clear up rumors that Islam Makhachev was originally set to fight Ilia Topuria at the UFC White House event. The confirmed lightweight title unification bout will feature Ilia Topuria against Justin Gaethje, scheduled for Sunday, June 14, as part of President Donald Trump’s America 250 celebration.
“That’s not true,” White said about Makhachev vs. Topuria. “That is true [Justin Gaethje wasn’t originally on the card]. It was never Islam versus Topuria. Don’t worry about what fights are being made. We announced which ones are made and which ones will be happening. I told you there were some weird circumstances.
“The reason that fight fell out and it wasn’t up on stage with Mick [Maynard], Hunter [Campbell] and Sean [Shelby], it was at Power Slap that the fight fell apart that night and all the boys went back to the office and were there until literally 9 in the morning and that’s how Gaethje ended up on the card. Topuria wasn’t originally supposed to be on the card either. So he got the call, too.”
🚨 Dana White says Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev is NOT the White House fight that fell out on Friday night
He also says Ilia Topuria originally wasn’t supposed to be on the card either, and Islam Makhachev is currently recovering from a hand injury
“That’s not true. It was… https://t.co/HRP5xem7gG pic.twitter.com/8eXOvQ3uaK
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 9, 2026
Late Additions to the UFC White House Card
White explained that a fight originally planned for the event fell through at the Power Slap event on Friday, leading the UFC team to finalize the card overnight. Gaethje confirmed he only learned hours before the official announcement that he would face Topuria in a lightweight title unification match.
“He’s got some hand issues,” White said about Islam Makhachev. “I know that. I don’t know how serious the hand issues are or how long that will keep him out but he’s injured.”
Makhachev is also observing Ramadan, which could further delay his return to the octagon.
