Islam Makhachev revealed why he didn't share the octagon with Ilia Topuria at UFC White House , held on June 14th. Billed as one of the biggest spectacles in Ultimate history, the event took place on the lawn of the United States presidential residence and featured the Spaniard facing Justin Gaethje in the main event . According to the Russian, however, the organization's plan was different.
In an interview with Demetrious Johnson , Makhachev stated that he received information from Ali Abdelaziz that the UFC was interested in putting him against Topuria at the White House and would be willing to offer a good amount for the fight. The Russian immediately accepted the possibility, but revealed that, the following day, he was informed that his rival had asked for a higher purse and ended up opting to face Justin Gaethje even for a lower amount.
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“Ali called me and said, ‘They want you to fight Ilia (Topuria) at the White House, and they’re offering me good money.’ I said, ‘Sure, I’ll fight.’ Then they called me the next day and said, ‘Ilia wanted a bigger check, but he agreed to fight Justin Gaethje for less,’” said Islam Makhachev.
Justin Gaethje transformed Ilia Topuria's face at UFC Casa Branca
Topuria was punished by Gaethje in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC
After a balanced first round, Ilia Topuria returned for the second determined to justify his five-to-one odds against Justin Gaethje at UFC Casa Branca . Despite landing some good strikes and coming close to finishing the fight, the American held on, and the Spaniard returned for the third round already showing clear signs of fatigue.
With Topuria slowing down, Gaethje began to find his range with precise jabs and even managed to stagger the former champion with a powerful straight punch. Gradually, the Spaniard's face became deformed from the accumulated damage, until, in the break between the fourth and fifth rounds, his team opted to stop the fight.
After the fight, it was confirmed that Topuria suffered fractures to the orbital bones of her face and to her nose.
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