Topuria and Makhachev dispute who rejected White House fight

Ilia Topuria claims he was scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event but was told hours before the announcement that Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria stated he went to sleep knowing the Makhachev fight was happening. Islam Makhachev responded by calling Topuria's claims lies, saying Topuria was offered the fight but demanded a huge fee and was denied, which Topuria's manager allegedly confirmed. Makhachev insisted that Topuria was the one who turned down the bout. The exchange reveals a public dispute over who is responsible for the fight not materializing. Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce both picked Sean Strickland to defeat Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal mocking Chimaev's wrestling-heavy style. Dricus du Plessis named Israel Adesanya as his most technical opponent and Sean Strickland and Brad Tavares as his toughest, notably excluding Chimaev.