Ilia Topuria claimed he was told he would fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event, but hours before the announcement, he was informed that Makhachev was injured and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria expressed confusion about why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Makhachev responded by saying he's tired of hearing stories from Topuria and his team, stating that he agreed to the White House fight but was told Topuria demanded an enormous purse and was refused. Makhachev insisted that Topuria is the one who refused the fight and that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version. Additionally, Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce picked Sean Strickland over Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal calling Chimaev's style "sitting and smelling crotches."
