UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is set to headline the White House event on June 14, facing interim titleholder Justin Gaethje. However, Topuria had initially sought a bout against welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Topuria’s transition from featherweight to lightweight was driven by his ambition to become a two-division UFC champion and, specifically, to secure a fight against Makhachev. Around the same time, the article indicates Makhachev was also reportedly looking to pursue two-division champion status, potentially eyeing a move to welterweight.
Topuria openly accuses Makhachev, widely considered a top pound-for-pound fighter, of deliberately evading a contest between them, specifically for the upcoming UFC event at the White House.
Expressing his frustration on X (formerly Twitter), Topuria stated, “Once again Islam comes up with an excuse. This time it’s an injury.” He recounted his certainty of participating in the White House event, even when initially told otherwise, perceiving it as a negotiation tactic. Topuria confirmed that upon being included in the card, he immediately accepted a proposed fight with Makhachev. He then learned of Makhachev’s alleged injury just before the official announcement, which led to Justin Gaethje stepping in. Topuria declared that Gaethje would “pay for Islam’s escape,” and went on to insult their shared manager, Ali Abdelaziz, using strong, derogatory terms.
Addressing Gaethje directly, Topuria concluded with a confident warning: “Justin, see you at the White House. I’m not someone who humiliates people. It will be quick. When you wake up, everything will already be over.”