Dana White Clarifies Rumors of Canceled Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria White House Fight

Reports recently circulated suggesting that the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) had been orchestrating a highly anticipated "super-fight" between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, slated for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House. According to these rumors, the deal was nearing completion until last Friday, when the promotion was allegedly notified that Makhachev would no longer be available for the event.

RUMOR: The planned UFC bout at the White House that ultimately fell apart on Friday night was Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria, according to @IratiPratSC

Talks for Topuria vs. Makhachev only started last week. The two sides eventually reached an agreement, and the fight… pic.twitter.com/Z08k3PE2u5

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) March 9, 2026

The official fight card for UFC Freedom 250 has since been unveiled, featuring "El Matador" Ilia Topuria headlining against Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout. Notably, the P4P king, Islam Makhachev, is not included in this unique event.

Dana White Addresses Claims of Canceled Makhachev vs. Topuria Bout at White House

During the Zuffa Boxing 04 post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White firmly denied that a fight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria was ever scheduled or planned for the White House event.

White further disclosed that Makhachev is currently grappling with a hand injury, leaving uncertainty about his return date for his first defense of the 170-pound championship. He also mentioned that Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria received last-minute notification about their participation in the White House card just before the UFC Freedom 250 bout list was publicly announced.

“That’s not true. It was never Islam vs. Topuria. Don’t worry about what fights are being made, we announce which ones are made and which ones will be happening… He [Islam Makhachev] has some hand issues. I don’t know how serious the hand issues are and how long that will keep him out. But he is injured.”

White refrained from specifying which fight, if any, was indeed canceled on Friday and originally intended for the June 14 lineup.

Dana White responds to Makhachev vs Topuria rumors at #UFCWhiteHouse

'That's not true. It was never Islam vs Topuria. Don't worry about what fights are being made, we announce which ones are made.' pic.twitter.com/MEgtBU3c1F

— Octagon Pulse | UFC MEDIA (@OctagonPulse) March 9, 2026

In a separate interview with the UFC, Justin Gaethje revealed that he was initially informed last Thursday that he would *not* be competing at the UFC White House event. However, a mere day later, on Friday, he received a call indicating that his participation in the card was back on the table.

Justin Gaethje says he was told on Thursday he would NOT be fighting at the UFC White House event

Then one day later on Friday, the UFC called and told him he might actually be on the card

(via @ufc) pic.twitter.com/WrJGGSpBTa

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 8, 2026