Topuria Reveals Islam Makhachev Was Original Plan for UFC Freedom 250

Ilia Topuria says the first call he received about the UFC’s upcoming White House event was for a fight against welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.

In recent days, Topuria, Makhachev, and UFC CEO Dana White have all shared different versions of what happened regarding the proposed matchup at UFC Freedom 250. Instead of moving up in weight for a superfight on June 14, Topuria is now set to face interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje in a title unification bout on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.

Although Makhachev and White have both denied that the fight was ever close to being finalized, Topuria insists the matchup was nearly official before Makhachev informed the UFC that he was injured.

“It could happen easily. Actually, it was about to happen,” Topuria told One on One MMA. “Before I got confirmation about the fight against Justin, I was supposed to fight Islam. Dana said he was about to announce the White House card. From the call I got from the UFC, I knew I was fighting Islam because that was the first fight they offered me.

“So I went to sleep, and in the middle of the night I got, I don’t know, maybe a hundred calls from the UFC saying, ‘Listen, he’s injured and you’re going to face Justin Gaethje.’ Just hours before the official announcement of the card, I was supposed to fight Islam. That fight was extremely close to happening.”

Topuria said he wanted the chance to face Makhachev in pursuit of becoming a three-division UFC champion. Alex Pereira could become the first fighter to achieve that milestone, but Topuria still believes he will eventually get his opportunity.

“I think it’s going to happen at some point,” Topuria said. “At least I hope so. Hopefully it happens by the end of the year. After this fight? Who knows, maybe we finally get that fight.”