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I had repeatedly been checking throughout this whole process: Are they asking Ilia to fight at the White House? I repeatedly heard no. Mid last week, they finally reached out. They asked Ilia, “What are you more interested in — Islam or Gaethje? One’s at 170, one’s at 155.”...

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Ariel Helwani

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206,768 views • 5 months ago •via X (Twitter)

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🚨 Ilia Topuria was asked about fighting Islam Makhachev or Justin Gaethje at the White House and chose Islam Makhachev, per Ariel Helwani The UFC found out late last week that Islam wouldn’t be available due to a hand injury, which is why they pivoted to Topuria vs Gaethje
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🚨 Ilia Topuria was asked about fighting Islam Makhachev or Justin Gaethje at the White House and chose Islam Makhachev, per Ariel Helwani The UFC found out late last week that Islam wouldn’t be available due to a hand injury, which is why they pivoted to Topuria vs Gaethje

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🚨 Ian Garry says Islam Makhachev turned down an official offer to fight him in May at UFC 328 He also says the UFC informed him that they were trying to make Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria at the White House, but Islam also turned that down “They told me that they needed to do their due diligence and put on one of the biggest fights they possible could, which was Ilia vs Islam at the White House. Islam turned it down, to my knowledge.” (via Ariel Helwani)
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🚨 Ian Garry says Islam Makhachev turned down an official offer to fight him in May at UFC 328 He also says the UFC informed him that they were trying to make Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria at the White House, but Islam also turned that down “They told me that they needed to do their due diligence and put on one of the biggest fights they possible could, which was Ilia vs Islam at the White House. Islam turned it down, to my knowledge.” (via Ariel Helwani)

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🚨 Islam Makhachev says he accepted to fight Ilia Topuria at the White House, but Topuria wanted more money to fight him. 🗣️"Ali called me and said, ‘They want you to fight Ilia at the White House, and they’re offering me good money.’ I said, ‘Of course, I’ll fight.’ Then they called me the next day and said, ‘Ilia wanted a bigger check, but he accepted to fight Justin Gaethje for less." 📽 Via (Demetrious Johnson)
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🚨 Islam Makhachev says he accepted to fight Ilia Topuria at the White House, but Topuria wanted more money to fight him. 🗣️"Ali called me and said, ‘They want you to fight Ilia at the White House, and they’re offering me good money.’ I said, ‘Of course, I’ll fight.’ Then they called me the next day and said, ‘Ilia wanted a bigger check, but he accepted to fight Justin Gaethje for less." 📽 Via (Demetrious Johnson)

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🇺🇸💰 Islam Makhachev reveals he said YES to an Ilia Topuria fight in June. He was offered “good money,” but the Ilia side turned it down because they weren’t satisfied with the offer: “I wanted to fight in June at the White House. They called me, offered me Ilia Topuria, they offered me good money, and I said yes.” 🎥 Home of Fight / Jake Noecker
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🇺🇸💰 Islam Makhachev reveals he said YES to an Ilia Topuria fight in June. He was offered “good money,” but the Ilia side turned it down because they weren’t satisfied with the offer: “I wanted to fight in June at the White House. They called me, offered me Ilia Topuria, they offered me good money, and I said yes.” 🎥 Home of Fight / Jake Noecker

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Ilia Topuria says he went to sleep thinking he was going to fight Islam Makhachev at the White House, then woke up to calls saying it's actually going to be Justin Gaethje 🗣️ Ilia: "[I went to sleep] knowing and thinking I was going to fight Islam." 🗣️ Reporter: "Why doesn't Islam want to fight you?" 🗣️ Ilia: "I don't know. Weird people, strange people. I don't know." (via Irati Prat)
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Ilia Topuria says he went to sleep thinking he was going to fight Islam Makhachev at the White House, then woke up to calls saying it's actually going to be Justin Gaethje 🗣️ Ilia: "[I went to sleep] knowing and thinking I was going to fight Islam." 🗣️ Reporter: "Why doesn't Islam want to fight you?" 🗣️ Ilia: "I don't know. Weird people, strange people. I don't know." (via Irati Prat)

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🚨Ilia Topuria’s manager, Malki Kawa, clears up everything about the rumors surrounding the White House card. 🇺🇸👀 He confirms that the UFC originally told Ilia he was not going to fight on the White House card. Later, they asked him last week about fighting Islam Makhachev or Justin Gaethje. They chose Islam, but negotiations never started for whatever reason. Dana said that Islam has a hand injury, so that was probably the reason, and only on Friday night did the fight between Ilia and Justin come together. ©️ Anik & Florian Podcast
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🚨Ilia Topuria’s manager, Malki Kawa, clears up everything about the rumors surrounding the White House card. 🇺🇸👀 He confirms that the UFC originally told Ilia he was not going to fight on the White House card. Later, they asked him last week about fighting Islam Makhachev or Justin Gaethje. They chose Islam, but negotiations never started for whatever reason. Dana said that Islam has a hand injury, so that was probably the reason, and only on Friday night did the fight between Ilia and Justin come together. ©️ Anik & Florian Podcast

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376,852 views • 5 months ago

I'm way more interested in Ilia x Islam rather than seeing Islam move up to 170. It's not necessarily fair considering Islam has given the 145lb champ opportunities, but, to me, the Ilia fight is much more compelling. With that said, Arman should be next.
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I'm way more interested in Ilia x Islam rather than seeing Islam move up to 170. It's not necessarily fair considering Islam has given the 145lb champ opportunities, but, to me, the Ilia fight is much more compelling. With that said, Arman should be next.

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367,579 views • 1 year ago

‼️Ilia Topuria’s manager clears up the rumors surrounding the White House card. confirms that the UFC originally told Ilia he was not going to fight on the White House card. Later, they asked him about fighting Islam Makhachev or Justin Gaethje. It was an all night negotiation via Anik & Florian Podcast
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‼️Ilia Topuria’s manager clears up the rumors surrounding the White House card. confirms that the UFC originally told Ilia he was not going to fight on the White House card. Later, they asked him about fighting Islam Makhachev or Justin Gaethje. It was an all night negotiation via Anik & Florian Podcast

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99,251 views • 5 months ago

Islam Makhachev says the Ilia Topuria fight at the White House fell through because Ilia asked for too much money 😬 "They called me, confirmed the fight, I verbally agreed but they never sent me a contract. The last thing they told me was that the opponent [Topuria] was asking for some huge money. And the UFC simply turned it down. That's how it all happened." (via Ushatayka)
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Islam Makhachev says the Ilia Topuria fight at the White House fell through because Ilia asked for too much money 😬 "They called me, confirmed the fight, I verbally agreed but they never sent me a contract. The last thing they told me was that the opponent [Topuria] was asking for some huge money. And the UFC simply turned it down. That's how it all happened." (via Ushatayka)

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🚨 Ilia Topuria's manager clarified the situation surrounding the Ilia vs Islam fight He says that on Wednesday they were asked about fighting either Justin Gaethje or Islam Makhachev, but "the number was so low" they didn't want anything to do with it Later that week on Friday, the UFC came back and asked them about fighting at the White House. By this point, Islam was no longer an option because he was injured Regarding the offer from the UFC, he says: "Islam vs Ilia might be the biggest fight in UFC history. Don't you guys think that should have the biggest payday in UFC history? I'd be a damn fool to take that fight for less than the right numbers. It's not like I asked for $100 million, I didn't ask for $50 million. I asked for a number I think is super reasonable." (via malki kawa)
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🚨 Ilia Topuria's manager clarified the situation surrounding the Ilia vs Islam fight He says that on Wednesday they were asked about fighting either Justin Gaethje or Islam Makhachev, but "the number was so low" they didn't want anything to do with it Later that week on Friday, the UFC came back and asked them about fighting at the White House. By this point, Islam was no longer an option because he was injured Regarding the offer from the UFC, he says: "Islam vs Ilia might be the biggest fight in UFC history. Don't you guys think that should have the biggest payday in UFC history? I'd be a damn fool to take that fight for less than the right numbers. It's not like I asked for $100 million, I didn't ask for $50 million. I asked for a number I think is super reasonable." (via malki kawa)

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Colby Covington prefers Ilia to fight Islam next and believes he can knock him out 👀🔥 "I want to see the Topuria fight. I think it needs to happen whether they do it at welterweight or lightweight. I think Ilia will be Islam’s toughest fight. It’s gonna be harder to take him down and hold him there. Obviously, Ilia is one of the biggest punchers the UFC has ever seen. I’d like to see Ilia knock Islam out." (via Helen Yee )
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Colby Covington prefers Ilia to fight Islam next and believes he can knock him out 👀🔥 "I want to see the Topuria fight. I think it needs to happen whether they do it at welterweight or lightweight. I think Ilia will be Islam’s toughest fight. It’s gonna be harder to take him down and hold him there. Obviously, Ilia is one of the biggest punchers the UFC has ever seen. I’d like to see Ilia knock Islam out." (via Helen Yee )

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Michael Bisping calls Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria a once in a lifetime fight. "There’s no bigger fight right now than Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria. I know Justin is the interim and Ilia is undisputed, and that should happen, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. The whole world would be tuning in. There are going to be millions of people watching it." (Via michael )
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Michael Bisping calls Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria a once in a lifetime fight. "There’s no bigger fight right now than Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria. I know Justin is the interim and Ilia is undisputed, and that should happen, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. The whole world would be tuning in. There are going to be millions of people watching it." (Via michael )

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🚨 Islam Makhachev says Ilia Topuria wanted $20 MILLION to fight him at the White House: "I got a call in the morning and was offered the fight. I agreed without asking for anything. They offered me the fight themselves, with a higher purse. The next morning they called back and said that Topuria wanted something like $20 million. He was turned down. A couple hours later hsi manager gave an interview, he said that the money wasn't enough for them to fight Islam. But for the same money, under their contract, they agreed to fight Gaethje." (via Adam Zubayraev)
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🚨 Islam Makhachev says Ilia Topuria wanted $20 MILLION to fight him at the White House: "I got a call in the morning and was offered the fight. I agreed without asking for anything. They offered me the fight themselves, with a higher purse. The next morning they called back and said that Topuria wanted something like $20 million. He was turned down. A couple hours later hsi manager gave an interview, he said that the money wasn't enough for them to fight Islam. But for the same money, under their contract, they agreed to fight Gaethje." (via Adam Zubayraev)

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Paddy Pimblett perfectly saw Justin Gaethje ruining the Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria plans. 👀🤯 "Justin Gaethje is the ultimate spoiler. He ruined Khabib vs. Ferguson, he ruined me vs. Ilia, and he's about to ruin Islam vs. Ilia. A lot of people think he can't do it, but I know. I just have a feeling he's going to do it." via: Paddy Pimblett
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Paddy Pimblett perfectly saw Justin Gaethje ruining the Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria plans. 👀🤯 "Justin Gaethje is the ultimate spoiler. He ruined Khabib vs. Ferguson, he ruined me vs. Ilia, and he's about to ruin Islam vs. Ilia. A lot of people think he can't do it, but I know. I just have a feeling he's going to do it." via: Paddy Pimblett

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365,347 views • 2 months ago

Merab thinks Islam Makhachev needs to fight Ilia Topuria next: “Islam told me at the press conference ‘Merab I respect you but when you have a top contender you should fight him’, and I said okay… Now he has a top contender as Ilia Topuria but he’s not fighting him… Nobody criticized Islam like they criticized me.” 🎥 Ariel Helwani #UFC #MMA
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Merab thinks Islam Makhachev needs to fight Ilia Topuria next: “Islam told me at the press conference ‘Merab I respect you but when you have a top contender you should fight him’, and I said okay… Now he has a top contender as Ilia Topuria but he’s not fighting him… Nobody criticized Islam like they criticized me.” 🎥 Ariel Helwani #UFC #MMA

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441,903 views • 1 year ago

🚨 Ilia Topuria says the fight with Islam Makhachev was "very, very close" to happening 😳 "Hours before the entire White House card was announced, I knew I was going to fight Islam and that the fight was going to be announced. Hours before the announcement, I got a call saying Islam had just gotten injured and that I'd be fighting Justin Gaethje." (via El Partidazo de COPE)
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🚨 Ilia Topuria says the fight with Islam Makhachev was "very, very close" to happening 😳 "Hours before the entire White House card was announced, I knew I was going to fight Islam and that the fight was going to be announced. Hours before the announcement, I got a call saying Islam had just gotten injured and that I'd be fighting Justin Gaethje." (via El Partidazo de COPE)

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163,999 views • 4 months ago

How does this age after now seeing Islam at 170? Ilia Topuria was asked at UFC 317 if it would make more sense to face Islam Makhachev at 155lbs or 170lbs “It would be much better to fight him at 170 so I can beat him and get the third title, that’s the best scenario for me”
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How does this age after now seeing Islam at 170? Ilia Topuria was asked at UFC 317 if it would make more sense to face Islam Makhachev at 155lbs or 170lbs “It would be much better to fight him at 170 so I can beat him and get the third title, that’s the best scenario for me”

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305,078 views • 9 months ago

Ilia Topuria says he was offered to fight Islam Makhachev, accepted it, went to sleep and woke up to the news that Islam was injured: "Before I got the confirmation to fight Justin, I was supposed to fight Islam. Dana said he was supposed to make the announcements of the White House card. From the call 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 middle of the night I got 100 calls from the UFC saying '[Islam] is injured, you're gonna face Justin Gaethje.'" (via One On One)
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Ilia Topuria says he was offered to fight Islam Makhachev, accepted it, went to sleep and woke up to the news that Islam was injured: "Before I got the confirmation to fight Justin, I was supposed to fight Islam. Dana said he was supposed to make the announcements of the White House card. From the call 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 middle of the night I got 100 calls from the UFC saying '[Islam] is injured, you're gonna face Justin Gaethje.'" (via One On One)

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108,749 views • 4 months ago

Beneil Dariush believes Ilia Topuria lacked a gameplan for Islam Makhachev and chose the Justin Gaethje fight "Maybe it didn’t happen just because Ilia wasn’t in the right headspace and didn’t feel like fighting Islam is an easy task. So I think he looked at Justin Gaethje like a fight to pay. It’s a lot easier to gameplan for Justin Gaethje than it is for Makhachev." (Via Helen Yee )
0:35

Beneil Dariush believes Ilia Topuria lacked a gameplan for Islam Makhachev and chose the Justin Gaethje fight "Maybe it didn’t happen just because Ilia wasn’t in the right headspace and didn’t feel like fighting Islam is an easy task. So I think he looked at Justin Gaethje like a fight to pay. It’s a lot easier to gameplan for Justin Gaethje than it is for Makhachev." (Via Helen Yee )

Red Corner MMA

35,310 views • 4 months ago