Islam Makhachev says a planned UFC matchup against Ilia Topuria at a White House-related event was canceled after Topuria requested a reported $20 million purse. Makhachev portrays the negotiations as straightforward, saying he accepted the proposed fight terms immediately without additional demands, and that the dispute on Topuria’s side prevented the bout from taking place. Yahoo Sports reports Makhachev also ties the cancellation to issues involving a purported injury and miscommunication during the build-up to the event, which was expected to feature the long-awaited superfight. Other Yahoo coverage adds that Makhachev says the UFC rejected Topuria’s large request rather than agreeing to it. Across the reporting, the central points remain the same: the fight was positioned as a high-profile White House South Lawn booking, the bout did not happen, and competing accounts focus on purse expectations and how the negotiations were handled.
Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria trade claims over canceled White House UFC booking
Islam Makhachev says a planned UFC matchup against Ilia Topuria at a White House-related event was canceled after Topuria requested a reported $20 million purse. Makhachev portrays the negotiations as...
- Islam Makhachev says his proposed fight with Ilia Topuria at a White House-related UFC event was canceled.
- Makhachev claims Topuria asked for a reported $20 million purse, which he says spoiled the booking.
- Makhachev says he accepted the offer immediately without making extra demands.
- Yahoo reports conflicting or additional factors were discussed, including an alleged injury and miscommunication.
- Yahoo also reports Makhachev’s claim that the UFC turned down Topuria’s request.
Islam Makhachev claims the UFC turned down a request from Ilia Topuria. The lightweight title unification bout is just hours away, and tensions have been rising ever since Topuria shoved Justin Gaethje at the press conference on Friday.
56 minutes agoIt was supposed to be Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria atop Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 fight card from the White House South Lawn, but miscommunication about an injury and a $20 million fight purse demand ultimately got in the way. This weekend’s massive event in Washington D.C. was originally expected to feature the long-awaited superfight […]
10 hours agoUltimate Fighting Championship welterweight king Islam Makhachev doubled down on his claims of having accepted a fight against Ilia Topuria.
12 hours agoIslam Makhachev claimed that a proposed UFC fight against Ilia Topuria at a White House-related event was canceled after Topuria reportedly requested $20 million. According to comments shared by Champ RDS on X, Makhachev accepted the offer immediately without extra demands. The claim has sparked debate among MMA fans about fighter pay, negotiations, and why the highly anticipated matchup never happened.
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