Ilia Topuria claimed 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 Gaethje instead. Islam Makhachev responded that Topuria's team demanded a huge fee that was denied, and even Topuria's manager confirmed this version. Makhachev stated he's tired of hearing lies from Topuria and his team, insisting he agreed to the fight but Topuria priced himself out. The back-and-forth has added tension to a potential future matchup. Fans reacted with skepticism to both sides' accounts, with one noting the late-night timing of Makhachev's response. Additionally, Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce backed Sean Strickland against Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal calling Chimaev's style "sitting and smelling crotches."
