Ilia Topuria claims he was told hours before the White House event announcement that he would face Islam Makhachev, only to learn Makhachev was injured and he would fight Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria questions why Makhachev is avoiding the fight. Islam Makhachev responded by calling Topuria's claims lies, stating he agreed to the White House bout but was told Topuria demanded a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insists Topuria knows he turned down the fight. The exchange included banter about Makhachev posting late at night. Additionally, Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce picked Sean Strickland over Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal mocking Chimaev's wrestling style. Dricus Du Plessis rated Israel Adesanya as his most technical opponent and Sean Strickland and Brad Tavares as his toughest, while dismissing his fight with Chimaev as not a real bout.
