Topuria and Makhachev clash over conflicting accounts of failed White House fight

Ilia Topuria claims he was scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event but was told hours before the announcement that Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Makhachev countered that he accepted the White House fight but was told Topuria demanded a huge purse and was denied, leading to the bout falling through. Makhachev accused Topuria of lying and said even Topuria's manager confirmed the story. The back-and-forth exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the featherweight champion and the lightweight champion regarding a potential super fight. Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce have both picked Sean Strickland to defeat Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal criticizing Chimaev's grappling-heavy style. Dricus du Plessis named Israel Adesanya as his most technical opponent and Sean Strickland and Brad Tavares as his toughest, notably excluding Chimaev because he doesn't consider their brief encounter a real fight.