Topuria reveals White House fight with Makhachev was hours from announcement

Ilia Topuria disclosed that his fight with Islam Makhachev was scheduled to be officially announced at the White House event card reveal. Topuria stated he went to bed knowing he would face Makhachev, only to be woken by numerous phone calls informing him that Islam had sustained an injury and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. According to Topuria, he was notified of the change just hours before the planned announcement of the bout. Despite the setback, Topuria expressed he is not disappointed by the cancellation.