Dana White Denies Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria Fight at White House

UFC boss says the rumored superfight between the champions never materialized.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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UFC president Dana White has refuted reports that a planned superfight between lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and welterweight champion Ilia Topuria was set to take place at the White House. White stated that the fight was never in the works and that Makhachev is currently dealing with a hand injury. The UFC Freedom 250 event on June 14 will instead be headlined by a title-unification bout between Topuria and interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.

Why it matters

This denial from Dana White helps clarify the UFC's plans for its upcoming marquee event, UFC Freedom 250, and addresses speculation around a potential high-profile matchup between two of the promotion's top champions.

The details

According to White, the rumored Makhachev vs. Topuria fight at the White House was never actually planned. He stated that the fight that fell through was a different one, and that Makhachev is currently injured. The UFC Freedom 250 main event will now feature Topuria defending his lightweight title against interim champion Justin Gaethje, a fight that White said came together at the last minute.

  • The UFC Freedom 250 event is scheduled for June 14, 2026.
  • White made these comments at the Zuffa Boxing 4 post-fight press conference on Sunday night.

The players

Dana White

The president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Islam Makhachev

The current UFC lightweight champion.

Ilia Topuria

The current UFC welterweight champion.

Justin Gaethje

The current UFC interim lightweight champion.

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What they’re saying

“That's not true. It was never Islam vs. Topuria. Don't worry about what fights are being made. We announce which ones are made and which ones will be happening. I told you there were some weird circumstances as the reason that fight fell out.”

— Dana White, UFC President (usatoday.com)

“It wasn't up on stage with Mick, Hunter and Sean. It was at Power Slap that the fight fell apart that night, and then all the boys went back to the office and literally were there until 9 in the morning, and that's how Gaethje ended up on the card. And Topuria wasn't originally supposed to be on the card either, so he got the call too.”

— Dana White, UFC President (usatoday.com)

What’s next

The UFC Freedom 250 event on June 14, 2026 will feature the title-unification bout between lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje.

The takeaway

This denial from Dana White helps provide clarity on the UFC's plans for its upcoming marquee event, UFC Freedom 250, and addresses speculation around a potential high-profile matchup between two of the promotion's top champions that never materialized.