Topuria and Makhachev dispute who declined White House fight

Ilia Topuria claims he was informed hours before the White House event announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, but was later told Makhachev got injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria stated he went to bed knowing the Makhachev fight was happening, only for it to change shortly before the official announcement. Islam Makhachev responded by saying he's tired of hearing fabrications from Topuria and his team, claiming he agreed to the fight but Topuria's side requested a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted that Topuria refused the fight and that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version of events. The exchange reveals a significant dispute between the two camps about who actually declined the potential superfight. In related news, Jorge Masvidal and Joaquin Buckley have bet on Sean Strickland in his fight against Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal dismissing Chimaev's style.