Topuria and Makhachev dispute who refused White House fight

Ilia Topuria claims he was told he would fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event, only to learn hours before the announcement that Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria questions why Makhachev doesn't want the fight. Makhachev fired back, stating he agreed to the White House bout but was told Topuria demanded a huge purse and was denied, leading to the fight being scrapped. Makhachev insists Topuria refused the fight and that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version. In other news, Jorge Masvidal and Bo Nickal have picked Sean Strickland to beat Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal dismissing Chimaev's style. Dricus Du Plessis named Israel Adesanya as his most technical opponent and Sean Strickland and Brad Tavares as his toughest, excluding Chimaev because he doesn't consider their encounter a real fight.