Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria have different theories as to why they aren\u2019t fighting in June.<\/strong><\/p>\n Topuria has said that an injury to Makhachev stopped them from being booked for the White House card after he was confident that this was going to occur.<\/p>\n He said that he went to sleep expecting this matchup to be made only to be woken up by calls telling him that he\u2019d be defending his belt against Justin Gaethje as an alternative.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, Makhachev recently put the blame on Topuria, saying that his financial demands were the stumbling block, which Dana White has now commented on.<\/p>\n Tell us within the comments how you’d see this super-fight playing out\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Earlier today, Ilia Topuria\u2019s manager once more highlighted Islam Makhachev\u2019s injury as the explanation the super fight between the 2 champions isn\u2019t happening on the White House lawn.<\/p>\n While Makhachev recently posted training footage, Dana White said the Russian isn\u2019t fighting in June and won\u2019t be back until August due to an injury to his hand.<\/p>\n The UFC president was specifically asked during an appearance on Adin Ross\u2019 Kick stream<\/a> whether Topuria asking for an excessive amount of money prevented this matchup from happening on June 14.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not true,\u201d White responded, disputing the newest comment from Makhachev.<\/p>\n Defend your pick within the comments. \u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Topuria\u2019s manager (Malki Kawa) said last month during an appearance on the Anik & Florian podcast<\/a> that they were initially asked who they\u2019d somewhat face out of Makhachev and Justin Gaethje.<\/p>\n They picked the welterweight champion but the cash the UFC was offering wasn\u2019t high enough, which then led to a last-minute negotiation to get the Gaethje fight done.<\/p>\n Ian Machado Garry has since called Makhachev out as a result of the newest comments from his social media platform suggesting that he would\u2019ve been capable of fight in June despite talk of an injury.<\/p>\nDoes a fight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria have to occur? \ud83d\udc40<\/h3>\n
![\"Islam](\"https:\/\/bloodyelbow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1\/2026\/01\/BE-Talking-Points-creative-templates-2-1-819x1024.jpg\")
<\/div>Dana White says Ilia Topuria asking for an excessive amount of money to fight Islam Makhachev isn\u2019t true<\/h2>\n
Who’s the pound-for-pound primary?<\/h3>\n
![\"Split](\"https:\/\/bloodyelbow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1\/2026\/04\/BE-polls-7-819x1024.jpg\")
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