Ilia Topuria, the current UFC lightweight champion, is making waves with his ambitious plans for a historic fight. Despite Dana White's recent comments, Topuria is eyeing a White House event, scheduled for June 14, as the stage for his next bout.
Topuria's recent victory over Charles Oliveira solidified his dominance in the lightweight division. Following this triumph, he faced off against Paddy Pimblett, hinting at a potential title defense. The speculation intensified as the UFC's new deal with Paramount suggested a marquee main event for their first numbered event in 2026.
However, Topuria has now set his sights on a more controversial goal: challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at the White House. This move could be a strategic shift, as the UFC previously faced criticism for not booking Topuria vs. Makhachev when the latter held the lightweight championship.
Topuria's desire to move up to 170lbs adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. If Makhachev emerges victorious over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, a historic fight between the two could become a reality. The White House event, poised to be the biggest UFC spectacle ever, would undoubtedly showcase this highly anticipated showdown.
While Topuria's focus is on the White House, he hasn't ruled out a January fight. Potential contenders include Pimblett and Justin Gaethje. However, Gaethje's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently hinted that business considerations may influence the title shot allocation. The question remains: can Topuria secure a January bout while still pursuing his White House dream?
