Ilia Topuria claimed he was set to fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event, but hours before the announcement Makhachev withdrew due to injury and Topuria was matched with Gaethje instead. Islam Makhachev countered that he accepted the White House fight when offered, but was told the next day that Topuria demanded a huge purse and was denied. Makhachev insists Topuria's manager confirmed this version and that Topuria is lying about the situation. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the two champions. Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce both picked Sean Strickland to beat Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal mocking Chimaev's wrestling-heavy style. Dricus Du Plessis stated that Israel Adesanya was his most technical opponent, while Strickland and Tavares hit the hardest, notably omitting Chimaev because he doesn't consider their brief encounter a real fight.
