Ilia Topuria claims he was told hours before the White House announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, only to be informed later that Makhachev was injured and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria questioned why Makhachev does not want to fight him. In response, Makhachev stated he agreed to the White House fight but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge purse and was denied. Makhachev accused Topuria of lying about turning down the fight. The exchange between the two fighters continues their ongoing war of words about a potential lightweight-featherweight champion clash. Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce backed Sean Strickland against Khamzat Chimaev, while Dricus Du Plessis named Israel Adesanya as his most technical opponent.
