Ilia Topuria was not expecting to fight Justin Gaethje at the White House.
In a few months, Topuria will unify his lightweight title with Gaethje in the main event of UFC White House in Washington, D.C. The fight came about because Topuria took time off for personal issues, allowing Gaethje to fight Pimblett for an interim lightweight title in January. And while Topuria always knew he would fight the winner, he thought the winner would be his longtime foe, Pimblett.
“I’m surprised, because I thought
Paddy was going to win that fight against Justin,” Topuria told Fight Disciples. So, I was thinking to myself before that fight that I would face Paddy, because since the first moment that they announced the White House, I always knew that I would be in that event. So, I was like, if Justin is fighting against Paddy, I’m going to fight the winner, and I think that Paddy is going to win that fight. And I was surprised because of that.”
And fight Gaethje he will, though that, too, appeared to be up in the air for a bit. Though Islam Makhachev and Dana White have both disputed this, Topuria reiterated that at one point, he believed he was supposed to fight Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title at the event, but it fell through shortly before the announcement was made.
“Before I get the confirmation to fight against Justin, I was supposed to fight against Islam,” Topuria said. “So, Dana said that he was about to make the announcements of the White House card, and myself, from the call that I got from the UFC, I knew that I was fighting Islam. The first fight they offered me was against Islam. So, I went to sleep, and in the middle of the night, I got, I don’t know, 100 calls from the UFC like, ‘Listen, he’s injured, and you’re going to face Justin.’
“So, hours before the announcement of the card, I was supposed to fight against Islam. That fight was this close to happening.”
Since the UFC White House card was announced, Topuria and Makhachev, and their respective teams, have gone back and forth about what happened in the pre-fight negotiations. And for his part, Topuria isn’t too upset about what didn’t end up happening at UFC White House, because he is hopeful that, regardless, he’ll get his crack at a third title before the year is over.
“I can’t feel disappointment, because things are out of my control,” Topuria said. “I don’t involve any emotions in the things that are out of my control. If the fight is going to happen, it’s going to happen. If not, it’s not going to happen. I think it’s going to happen at some point. I hope so, at least. And hopefully, it’s going to at the end of the year. After this fight, who knows? Maybe we’re going to get that fight, finally.”
TOP STORIES
Feud. Jon Jones calls Daniel Cormier a ‘little crybaby b*tch’ after declining wrestling match; Cormier says Jones ‘in love with me.’
Hate. Paulo Costa declares ‘I hate these f*cking Russians,’ calls out Khamzat Chimaev ‘after I beat this fat guy’ Azamat Murzakanov.
Retirement. Cub Swanson reveals how the late Duke Roufus helped convince him to have one last fight at UFC 327.
Exhausting. Ilia Topuria’s manager clarifies negotiations for UFC White House: ‘Islam Makhachev was never an actual option.’
Focus. Curtis Blaydes refuses to engage with Colby Covington wannabe Josh Hokit: ‘Waste of time.’
Turmoil. PFL postpones fight card in Saudi Arabia amidst uncertainty in middle east.
Coaches. Daniel Cormier, Michael Bisping set as coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 34, debut date revealed.
VIDEO STEW
UFC 327 Staredowns.
UFC 327 Press Conference.
Cub Swanson interview.
Between the Links.
UFC 327 Embedded, ep. 4.
Max Holloway breaks down UFC 327.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
I mean, this is great work from Costa.
Correct.
Daniel Rodrigues, training in Tijuana prison before he got released this week.
Give the man a fight.
Alright. That can be fun.
Usman’s coming.
FEED ME MORE
Innovation.
FINAL THOUGHTS
UFC 327 is the best thing the UFC has put together this year (on paper). I’m hyped for this weekend. Let’s enjoy.
EXIT POLL
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