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Islam Makhachev could earn super-fight on UFC White House card with Jack Della Maddalena win

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Jul 25, 2025 1:00 PM ET

Islam Makhachev could be heading to a White House headliner if he claims welterweight gold and faces one of his long-time rivals.

The former lightweight champion gave up his belt to move up to 170lb and pursue Jack Della Maddalena’s title. That move up allowed Ilia Topuria to slide in and scoop up the 155lb belt, becoming a two-division world champion.

However, there is still demand from fans to see that super-fight, with the Georgian eyeing a potential move up to welterweight to pursue an unprecedented third title. And he reckons that if Makhachev gets the belt, they could be perfect headliners for the UFC’s White House card.

Ilia Topuria wants Islam Makhachev showdown to headline UFC White House

Ilia Topuria has been pursuing Islam Makhachev for a long time, but it seemed that the fight died when the Russian moved up to welterweight. Despite being a dominant champion, Topuria was never a giant featherweight, and looks particularly small at lightweight having previously fought as low as 135lb.

As a result, it would seem that the 170lb division might be a step too far. However, in a recent stream with the Nelk Boys he teased the potential of a super-fight with Makhachev on the White House lawn next summer if he wins the belt.

Ilia Topuria is asked about a superfight against Islam Makhachev at the White House

“Why not. I would love to fight in front of the United States of America. We’ll see what’s gonna happen.”pic.twitter.com/LXwUbfeTMb
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 23, 2025

“You vs Islam on the White House card would be insane,” host Kyle Forgeard noted. “Would you want to fight on the White House?” Topuria replied: “Why not, I would love to fight in front of the United States of America, we’ll see what’s going to happen.”

When Forgeard said that it would be perfect timing for a fight with Makhachev and asked what weight they would fight at, Topuria replied: “Once you try to go up you never want to come back. It’s hell, I had to go through hell when I was cutting the weight in 145lb.

“Now that I’ve decided to stay in 155lb it’s like two different worlds, I have been able to enjoy the whole process. I’ve been more happy.”

Dana White wants reliable headliners for UFC White House event – not Jon Jones

The initial plan that seemed to be in place for the massive showcase was that Jon Jones would return and face whomever is heavyweight champion next summer. However, Dana White poured cold water on that idea, noting that for such a high-profile show they can’t afford to have anything go wrong.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Speaking at a press conference after UFC 318 in Louisiana on Saturday night he was asked about the possibility of Jones returning and taking the belt with no plans to defend.

“It’s not even about him winning the belt,” White explained. “You know how I felt about him. You know I can’t risk putting him in big positions in a big spot and have something go wrong – especially the White House card.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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