Las Vegas — UFC President and CEO Dana White continues to be flooded with questions about Freedom 250, the upcoming fight card at the White House.
Specifically, fans and media members want to know what fight fell through on Friday, after the promotion’s head honcho let slip about a cancellation at the last minute. It appears the fight that fell through was a main event, as White has now confirmed that on Thursday, Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, who headline the June 14 show, weren’t even scheduled to take part.
While White remains mum on what the fight was, he confirmed on Sunday following the latest Zuffa Boxing event that it was not a rumored match-up between Islam Makhachev and Topuria. “That’s not true,” said White, with media members including Cageside Press on hand.
When it comes to Justin Gaethje saying he wasn’t part of the card as of Thursday, however, White confirmed that report. “That is true.”
“It was never Islam versus Topuria,” added White. “Don’t worry about what fights are being made. We announce which ones are made and which ones will be happening. I told you, there were some weird circumstances, the reason that fight fell out. And it wasn’t up on stage with Mick, Hunter and Sean. It was at PowerSlap that the fight fell apart that night, and then all the boys went back to the office and literally were there until nine in the morning.”
“That’s how Gaethje wound up on the card. And Topuria wasn’t originally supposed to be on the card either,” continued White. “So he got the call too.”
Asked about a return timeframe for Islam Makhachev, the UFC’s welterweight champion, White was unsure, but confirmed he’s injured. “I don’t know. He’s got some hand issues, I know that. I don’t know how serious they are or how long that will keep him out, but he’s injured.”
Watch the full Zuffa Boxing press conference with Dana White above.
