34-year-old former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev of Russia has announced his willingness to face 28-year-old undefeated UFC 70 kg champion Ilia Topuria of Spanish-Georgian descent at the UFC at the White House, scheduled for June 2026 in Washington, D.C.
“Ilia wants to fight [at the UFC] at the White House, and I want to fight there too. It would be a big fight for MMA fans. If the UFC wants to organize this fight, we can make it happen. What fight would be more popular than this one?” Makhachev said in an interview with ESPN.
