Topuria and Makhachev dispute who turned down White House fight

Ilia Topuria claimed he was scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event but was told hours before the announcement that Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Islam Makhachev responded by stating that Topuria's team demanded an excessive purse and that's why the fight didn't happen, with Makhachev claiming he agreed to the bout immediately when offered. The dispute centers on who is responsible for the fight falling through, with both fighters presenting conflicting accounts. When a fan commented on Makhachev's late-night social media activity, he replied that it wasn't manager Ali Abdelaziz posting. Additionally, Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce backed Sean Strickland in his upcoming fight against Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal criticizing Chimaev's wrestling-heavy style and Cosce refusing to comment due to his dislike of Chimaev.