Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria headlines the UFC event at the White House on June 14 against interim titleholder Justin Gaethje , but he wanted to take on welterweight champion Islam Makhachev instead. When Topuria relinquished his featherweight title to move up to the lightweight division, he was not only chasing two-division UFC champion status, he was chasing a fight against Makhachev. During the same timeframe, Makhachev vacated his lightweight title and moved up to the welterweight division seeking two-division UFC champion accolades.
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Ilia Topuria accuses Islam Makhachev of ducking White House matchup – MMA Weekly