Ilia Topuria reveals Islam Makhachev fight was nearly announced hours before injury

Ilia Topuria disclosed that he was just hours away from the official announcement of his fight against Islam Makhachev at the White House event before the bout fell through. According to Topuria, he knew he would be facing Makhachev and believed the fight would be announced as part of the full card reveal. However, he received a phone call shortly before the announcement informing him that Makhachev had suffered an injury and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria went to sleep expecting the Makhachev fight, only to wake up to numerous calls about the change. He expressed that he is not disappointed and believes the Makhachev fight should happen eventually.