Ilia Topuria claimed he was scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event but hours before the announcement, he was told Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria questioned why Makhachev does not want the fight. Islam Makhachev responded that he is tired of Topuria's fabrications, stating he agreed to the White House fight but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted Topuria turned down the bout and accused him of lying, noting even Topuria's manager confirmed this version. The exchange reveals conflicting accounts about who declined the potential super-fight. Additionally, Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce backed Sean Strickland against Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal criticizing Chimaev's wrestling-heavy style.
