Topuria and Makhachev exchange accusations over failed White House fight

Ilia Topuria claimed he went to sleep knowing his fight with Islam Makhachev would be announced, but hours before the White House event announcement, he was told Makhachev was injured and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria questioned why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Makhachev fired back, stating he accepted the White House fight offer but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied, calling Topuria's claims lies. The back-and-forth between the two champions has created uncertainty about what actually happened. Makhachev's response came late at night, with a fan jokingly telling him to go to sleep, to which Islam replied "Today it's not him," suggesting Ali Abdelaziz wasn't handling his social media at that moment.