Report: Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria was original plan for UFC White House

"On Friday night, it was announced that Islam would NOT fight. Dana White's comments about a fight falling through and long faces at the ceremonial weigh-in. There's an agreement: Makhachev vs. Topuria. It's going to happen. At this point, Gaethje wasn't going to fight. On Sunday, he acknowledged this timing."

"Makhachev vs. Topuria at welterweight is the plan for the White House. It's the fight Ilia wanted, the one that motivates him. Negotiations didn't begin until last week. Ali Abdelaziz tweeted that the UFC is planning the biggest fight possible."

Islam Makhachev was originally scheduled to defend his welterweight title against interim lightweight champion Ilia Topuria at the UFC White House event on June 14, but the fight fell through at the last minute. UFC officials received notification that Makhachev would not compete, prompting Dana White and matchmakers to scramble for an alternative main event. Justin Gaethje was subsequently booked to face Topuria instead. According to reports, Topuria was highly motivated for the Makhachev matchup, which represented the fight he desired. Negotiations for the original bout had only recently begun the previous week, with manager Ali Abdelaziz indicating the UFC was pursuing the biggest possible fight.

Read at Sherdog