"It was never Islam versus Topuria. Don't worry about what fights are being made. We announce which ones are made and which ones will be happening. I told you, there were some weird circumstances, the reason that fight fell out. And it wasn't up on stage with Mick, Hunter and Sean. It was at PowerSlap that the fight fell apart that night, and then all the boys went back to the office and literally were there until nine in the morning."
"That's how Gaethje wound up on the card. And Topuria wasn't originally supposed to be on the card either. So he got the call too."
"I don't know. He's got some hand issues, I know that. I don't know how serious they are or how long that will keep him out, but he's injured."
UFC President Dana White confirmed that a main event fight for Freedom 250 at the White House fell through on Friday, requiring last-minute replacements. The cancelled fight was not Islam Makhachev versus Ilia Topuria, as previously rumored. White revealed that both Topuria and Justin Gaethje were not originally scheduled for the card as of Thursday. The fight fell apart during a PowerSlap event, prompting UFC staff to work through the night to restructure the card. Both fighters received calls and were added to the June 14 lineup. Additionally, White confirmed that Islam Makhachev, the welterweight champion, is currently injured with hand issues, though the severity and recovery timeline remain uncertain.
Read at Cageside Press
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