Makhachev Says Topuria Sought $20 Million, Sinking UFC White House Fight
Updated
Updated · MMA Fighting · Jun 20
Makhachev Says Topuria Sought $20 Million, Sinking UFC White House Fight
3 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · Jun 20
Summary
$20 million was the figure Islam Makhachev said Ilia Topuria’s team demanded, prompting the UFC to drop plans for their proposed White House event bout.
Makhachev said he accepted the fight immediately and without extra demands, then learned the next day that the offer was canceled after Topuria’s side asked for an eight-figure purse.
Malki Kawa, Topuria’s manager, has acknowledged pay was a sticking point, saying he wanted the Makhachev fight but rejected the UFC’s number as too low.
The collapse fed a public dispute over who blocked the matchup, with Makhachev denying a hand injury was the reason and saying Topuria’s camp later accepted the same contract framework to face Justin Gaethje.
That White House card instead ended with Gaethje upsetting Topuria in a lightweight title unification bout, while Makhachev is now booked to defend his welterweight belt against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on Aug. 15.