Video: Dana White DENIED claims of Islam vs Topuria at the White House
Dana White confirmed that neither Ilia Topuria nor Justin Gaethje was originally supposed to be on the upcoming UFC White House card on June 14.
Ilia Topuria is now set to face Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title bout at the event. While rumors suggested the UFC was initially planning a superfight between Topuria and Islam Makhachev, White clarified that a matchup between the two was never in the works for this card.
During the Zuffa Boxing 4 post-fight press conference on Sunday, White emphatically denied those reports, stating that both Topuria and Gaethje were late additions to the lineup. Makhachev was never an option for this card, as the welterweight champion is currently sidelined with a hand injury and observing Ramadan
🚨 Dana White says Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev is NOT the White House fight that fell out on Friday night
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 9, 2026
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
“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.”