Islam Makhachev Says Ilia Topuria’s $20 Million Purse Demand Ended White House Fight Talks

Islam Makhachev says he was ready to fight Ilia Topuria at the planned UFC White House event, but the matchup fell apart after Topuria reportedly asked for a far larger payout. In interviews this week, Makhachev denied rumors that an injury kept him out of the proposed superfight, saying he had no physical issues and agreed immediately when his manager first contacted him about the bout. According to Makhachev, the offer was later withdrawn the next day.

The Russian fighter said the decision had nothing to do with a hand injury, as Topuria had claimed, and instead centered on money. Makhachev stated that Topuria requested about $20 million for the White House card, a figure UFC officials reportedly rejected. He said that after the UFC turned down the demand, Topuria moved on to another opponent and accepted a fight with Justin Gaethje under the terms already in place.

The situation has added another twist to the buildup for the highly promoted UFC event in Washington, D.C., which was expected to feature a major headliner. For a time, the long-discussed Makhachev vs. Topuria matchup seemed possible, especially after Makhachev moved up to welterweight and the White House card needed a marquee attraction. But UFC matchmakers ultimately shifted away from the fight and finalized Topuria vs. Gaethje instead.

Makhachev said he was surprised by how quickly the planned superfight collapsed. He described agreeing to the bout without asking for extra money, while accusing Topuria of backing away only after UFC refused his reported price request. In Makhachev’s version of events, the canceled fight was not a matter of injury, but a contract and compensation dispute.

Topuria’s next assignment is now clear: he will unify his lightweight title against Gaethje on the White House lawn this Sunday. Makhachev, meanwhile, remains on the sidelines and is expected to wait for his next title defense later this year. The UFC White House card has generated major attention because of its unusual setting and high-profile matchmaking, and the collapse of a potential Makhachev-Topuria superfight has only increased interest in what happens next.

For now, the debate centers on why the matchup never happened and whether the UFC may revisit it in the future. Makhachev insists he was never injured and was willing to compete, while Topuria’s side has suggested the issue involved money and expectations for the event. With Gaethje now set to face Topuria, fans will have to wait to see whether the long-anticipated clash with Makhachev is ever revisited.