Ilia Topuria claimed he was informed hours before the White House event announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, only to be told Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Islam Makhachev responded by calling Topuria's statements fabrications, stating that he accepted the White House bout but was told Topuria demanded a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted that Topuria refused the fight and that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version. The exchange represents an ongoing dispute between the two champions about who was responsible for the fight not materializing. In related news, Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce backed Sean Strickland against Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal criticizing Chimaev's wrestling-heavy style, while Dricus Du Plessis named Israel Adesanya as his most technical opponent and Sean Strickland as one of his toughest.
