Topuria and Makhachev exchange accusations over White House event cancellation

Ilia Topuria claimed he was informed hours before the White House event announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, but was then told Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria questioned why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Islam Makhachev responded by stating he agreed to the White House fight but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge purse and was denied, calling Topuria's statements lies. Makhachev insisted Topuria refused the fight and knows it. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the two champions. Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier both picked Sean Strickland to beat Hamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal criticizing Chimaev's style. Dricus du Plessis said Israel Adesanya was his most technical opponent, while Sean Strickland and Brad Tavares were his toughest, notably excluding Chimaev because he doesn't consider their meeting a real fight.