Spanish journalist Alvaro Colmenero has a very important update on Ilia Topuria’s next fight, and fans will be doomed if this update turns out to be true.
Topuria, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, is expected to face current and two-time interim titleholder Justin Gaethje next. As per previous rumors, a title unification bout between “El Matador” and “The Highlight” was going to headline the UFC White House event and looked like a done deal.
Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje Unlikely to Headline UFC White House Event
As per a recent update, the Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje bout has not been signed, and the chances of it happening on June 14 have decreased due to “several geopolitical and economic arguments” against the fight being held at the White House.
The update by Alvaro Colmenero reads:
“Regarding Ilia Topuria’s fight against Gaethje at the White House: The fight has NOT been signed, and despite being a possibility, the chances of it taking place there have decreased. There are several geopolitical and economic arguments against the fight being held at the WH.”
Check out the latest update below:
The matchmaking for the White House card is already finalized, according to Dana White, who said this earlier this month:
“We have like two different options laid out, and the matchmaking process has already started out. So yeah, we got the White House card done last week.”
However, this latest update raises the question of who will headline the event if not Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje.
Alvaro Colmenero also suggested that if the title unification between Topuria and Gaethje does not take place at the White House, it could instead headline International Fight Week in July.
“If they decide that the Topuria vs. Gaethje fight will not take place at the White House, it would make sense for it to headline International Fight Week in July.”
So far, the UFC, Gaethje, and Topuria’s teams have not commented on the same.