Dana White denies that Makhachev vs. Topuria was in the UFC's plans and defends the Russian player

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Dana White at a UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

Last Saturday (7), the UFC Casa Branca card was finally announced, but, to the surprise of fans and MMA professionals, two of the most anticipated fights did not materialize. In addition to Jon Jones x Alex PoatánMany were hoping that the meeting between the rivals would go well. Islam makhachev e Ilia Topuria He was supposed to lead the event scheduled to take place on June 14th in Washington (USA), but the fights remained only on paper. Therefore, Dana White felt compelled to clarify the situation surrounding the event and denied a rumor.

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Last Friday (6), the executive informed that a major fight was canceled even before the UFC Casa Branca card was announced and, from then on, speculations began to circulate. In fact, a rumor gained strength and pointed out that it was the super fight between the Georgian and the Russian that fell through. However, on Sunday (8), Dana, at the post-Zuffa Boxing 4 press conference, contradicted expectations, denying that the confrontation involving the company's champions was in the plans for the show.

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And it didn't stop there. Despite the confirmation of Topuria x Justin gaethje With the main event of UFC Casa Branca scheduled, a Spanish journalist claimed the fight only happened because Makhachev refused to fight his rival. Upon learning of the speculation, Dana White was blunt and defended the Russian, emphasizing that he didn't back out of the fight, especially since he was never in the event due to injury.

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“That’s not true. It was never Makhachev versus Topuria. Don’t worry about the fights that are being made. We announce which fights have been made and which will happen. I said there were some strange circumstances. Gaethje ended up on the card and Topuria wasn’t originally scheduled to be on the card either. So, he also received the call,” said the official.

"I don't know (when Makhachev will return). He's having some problems with his hand. I know that. I don't know the severity of the hand problems or how long he'll be out, but yes, he is injured," he concluded.

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