Topuria and Makhachev dispute who rejected White House fight

Ilia Topuria claimed he was told hours before the White House card announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, but Makhachev allegedly pulled out with an injury and Topuria was matched with Gaethje instead. Topuria questioned why Makhachev doesn't want the fight. Makhachev responded that he accepted the White House bout offer, but was told Topuria requested a huge purse and was denied, forcing the fight to fall through. Makhachev stated that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version and accused Topuria of lying. Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce both predicted Sean Strickland to beat Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal calling Chimaev's style "sitting and smelling crotches." Dricus du Plessis named Israel Adesanya as his most technical opponent and Sean Strickland and Brad Tavares as his toughest, notably excluding Chimaev because he doesn't consider their brief encounter a real fight.