Topuria reveals Makhachev fight at White House was hours from being announced

Ilia Topuria disclosed that his fight with Islam Makhachev at the White House event was nearly official just hours before the full card announcement. Topuria stated he went to sleep knowing he would fight Makhachev, only to be woken by numerous calls informing him that Islam had sustained an injury and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Despite the bout falling through, Topuria says he is not disappointed and believes the fight will happen eventually. The Georgian champion revealed he was notified of the last-minute change just a couple of hours before what would have been a historic announcement.