Topuria reveals Makhachev fight was hours from announcement before injury

Ilia Topuria disclosed that his anticipated fight against Islam Makhachev at the White House event was just hours away from being officially announced before falling through. Topuria explained that he knew a couple of hours before the card announcement that he would be facing Makhachev, but then received a call saying Islam had sustained an injury and he would fight Gaethje instead. The Georgian champion went to sleep expecting to fight Makhachev and was woken by numerous phone calls informing him of the change. Despite the setback, Topuria expressed that he is not disappointed and believes the fight should happen sooner or later.