Overview
- Ali Abdelaziz posted on X that Justin Gaethje will fight next for the undisputed lightweight title and that Islam Makhachev’s next bout will be against “a real welterweight,” not Ilia Topuria.
- Islam Makhachev has said he is open to facing Topuria and wants to compete on the June 14 White House card, though Ramadan will pause his training until mid‑March.
- The UFC is assembling the White House event but has not finalized bouts, with reporting indicating Topuria vs. Gaethje currently appears the leading option for the main event.
- Michael Bisping urged the UFC to prioritize spectacle by booking Topuria vs. Makhachev for the White House showcase, while others have speculated about welterweight title defenses for Makhachev such as Kamaru Usman or Ian Garry.
- Top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan was bypassed for the interim title fight, has taken grappling matches as he awaits a return, and has been cited by figures like Demetrious Johnson as a strong stylistic test for Topuria.