Dana White denies that Makhachev vs. Topuria was part of the UFC's plans and defends the Russian fighter.

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 vs. Alex Poatan , many were hoping that the encounter between rivals Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria would headline the event scheduled to take place on June 14th in Washington (USA), but the fights remained only on paper. Therefore, Dana White made a point of clarifying the scenario surrounding the attraction and denied a rumor.

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.

See too

Jon Jones gets angry and challenges Dana White after being excluded from the UFC. White House: 'We have a problem'.

Dana White retires Jon Jones and explains why he vetoed him from fighting in the UFC. White House: 'Big mistake'.

OFFICIAL! Alex Poatan fights Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Casa Branca.

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

“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.

UFC White House card

Ilia Topuria x Justin Gaethje

Alex Poatan x Ciryl Gane

Sean O'Malley x Aiemann Zahabi

Mauricio Luffy vs. Michael Chandler

Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus

Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia

Exclusive: Michael PQD talks about his brutal UFC debut victory.