Ilia Topuria claimed he was initially told he would fight Islam Makhachev at the White House card but Makhachev pulled out with an injury hours before the announcement, leading to Topuria being matched with Gaethje instead. Islam Makhachev responded that Topuria is lying, stating he accepted the White House fight but UFC told him Topuria requested a huge purse and was denied. Makhachev insists Topuria refused the fight and even Topuria's manager confirmed this version. In a lighter exchange, when a fan told Makhachev to go to sleep at 4 AM, Islam jokingly replied it wasn't him posting. Additionally, Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce picked Sean Strickland over Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal calling Chimaev's style "sitting and sniffing crotches."
