Ilia Topuria picked Islam Makhachev for UFC White House – but injury prevented dream super-fight

Ilia Topuria reportedly selected Islam Makhachev over Justin Gaethje to fight at UFC White House.

While Topuria vs Gaethje was the next fight to make at lightweight, the former moving up to face welterweight king Makhachev is what MMA fans are desperate to see.

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On Saturday, it was announced that Topuria, who is returning after a messy divorce, will make the first defence of his UFC lightweight title against Gaethje at the top of the White House card.

The event, officially billed as UFC Freedom 250, takes place on June 14, with Alex Pereira moving up to heavyweight to challenge Ciryl Gane for the division’s interim strap in the co-main event.

With both Conor McGregor and Jon Jones absent, members of the MMA fraternity were left slightly underwhelmed in their reactions to the celebratory card.

After all, UFC CEO Dana White had promised that he would put together the ‘greatest fight card ever assembled,’ and although the six-fight card features exciting match-ups, it ultimately did not live up to expectations.

Now, esteemed MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has reported that fight fans were close to seeing Topuria vs Makhachev — arguably one of the biggest super-fights of all time.

“Mid last week, [the UFC] finally reach out with two questions,” Helwani said on his Monday show, adding that Topuria’s appearance was a last-minute call.

The promotion originally wanted Kayla Harrison to fight Amanda Nunes, but when the former said she wouldn’t be ready in time, another title fight was needed for the card.

Helwani added: “[They asked Topuria], ‘What are you more interested in?

“Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev, or Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje? What interests you more?

“And oh, by the way, [Makhachev’s] at 170 pounds, this one’s at 55.’ Well, per my sources, Topuria said, ‘Give me Islam, I’m going up to 170 pounds.'”

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The UFC then found out Makhachev was not available due to a hand injury.

So, Gaethje, who admitted during the UFC 326 broadcast last weekend that he didn’t know he was fighting at the White House until a matter of days ago, got the phone call.

White’s promotion reportedly had Pereira’s fight with Gane scheduled as the main event, but made a last-minute change once Topuria and Gaethje agreed on a deal.

What about Jon Jones and Conor McGregor?

Helwani concluded by revealing Jones was ‘100 per cent’ in negotiations to fight on the card, despite White vehemently denying that was the case.

Jones apparently wanted more money than what the UFC was prepared to offer.

He also says McGregor was ‘never in serious talks’ to feature and the expectation is that the Irishman will now headline an event during International Fight Week in July.

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As for Makhachev, the Russian is likely to face a top-ranked welterweight in Ian Machado Garry or Michael Morales when he returns from injury.

Makhachev could then be ready to fight Topuria if the latter is successful against Gaethje.

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.