Even though it seemed like an ideal fit for the UFC White House event, Islam Makhachev has played down the possibility of that match-up.
Ilia Topuria’s move up to lightweight after capturing the featherweight title led to immediate calls from fans for a clash with Islam Makhachev.
But shortly after, the Russian made the jump to 170 pounds and captured the welterweight title, making a fight between them much harder to put together.
Topuria still expressed interest in chasing history by moving into a third weight class and ending his long-standing feud with Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev confirms he will not face Ilia Topuria at the UFC White House card
The upcoming UFC event at the White House this June had many fans pointing to a potential showdown between Makhachev and Topuria as an ideal main event.
In fact, the 34-year-old Russian recently expressed his interest in stepping in to fight ‘El Matador’, further fuelling speculation around the super fight.
But even with Michael Bisping advising the UFC to make it happen, Makhachev has made it clear that it is not going ahead.
Makhachev told Ushatayka: “Yes, I think it definitely won’t happen in the White House, because he already has an opponent, and the UFC is not interested in this.”
At this point, all signs point to Topuria defending his lightweight title against Gaethje in the main event. Makhachev will likely have to wait for another card for his next bout.
The welterweight champion said he would not mind fighting on the same card as the Spaniard and does not see it as a big deal where he is placed.
“Well, it’s not important for me to fight as a co-main event or at the beginning of my career I fought in the first fight of the night, so it’s not such a fundamental issue for me,” he concluded.
UFC White House card has been finalised, Dana White confirms
For months, UFC fans have been asking Dana White about the matchups planned for the White House event.
Earlier this week, he mentioned that the card is finished and that he will be discussing a few different options with Donald Trump later in the week.
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