Ilia Topuria claims he was told hours before the White House event card announcement that he would face Islam Makhachev, only to learn just before the reveal that Makhachev was injured and he would fight Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria questioned why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Islam Makhachev responded that he is tired of Topuria's fabrications, stating that he agreed to the White House bout but was then told Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted that Topuria turned down the fight and accused him of lying. The exchange was made public via social media posts, with fans and observers weighing in on who is telling the truth.
