Topuria and Makhachev dispute who rejected White House fight offer

Ilia Topuria claimed he went to bed knowing he would fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event, but was told hours before the announcement that Makhachev had suffered an injury and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria stated he doesn't understand why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Makhachev responded that he's tired of Topuria's fabrications, saying he accepted the White House fight immediately but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge purse and was denied. Makhachev insisted that Topuria turned down the fight and that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version of events. The post also mentions that Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce have backed Sean Strickland against Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal criticizing Chimaev's wrestling-heavy style. Additionally, Dricus du Plessis identified Israel Adesanya as his most technical opponent and Sean Strickland and Brad Tavares as his toughest, while not counting his encounter with Chimaev as a real fight.