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

Ilia Topuria revealed how close he came to fighting Islam Makhachev at the White House event before it fell through. Topuria stated that just hours before the official card announcement, he knew he would be fighting Makhachev and the bout was set to be revealed. However, he received a call informing him that Islam had sustained an injury and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria said he went to sleep knowing he would fight Islam, only to be woken by a flood of phone calls about the change. Despite the disappointment, Topuria expressed that he believes the fight with Makhachev should happen eventually.