Topuria and Makhachev dispute who refused White House fight

Ilia Topuria claimed he went to sleep knowing he would fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event, only to be told hours before the announcement that Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria questioned why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Islam Makhachev responded by calling Topuria's version a fabrication, stating he accepted the White House fight but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted that Topuria refused the fight and knows it. The exchange highlights conflicting accounts of who turned down the potential matchup, with both fighters accusing the other of avoiding the bout.