Topuria and Makhachev dispute who declined White House fight

Ilia Topuria claims he was informed he would fight Islam Makhachev at a White House event, but was told hours before the announcement that Makhachev was injured and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria expressed confusion about why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. In response, Makhachev stated he is tired of Topuria's fabrications, saying he agreed to the White House fight but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted it was Topuria who declined the fight, adding that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version of events. The post also notes that Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce have backed Sean Strickland in his upcoming fight with Khamzat Chimaev, and that Dricus du Plessis named Israel Adesanya as his most technical opponent, with Sean Strickland and Brad Tavares as his toughest, notably omitting Chimaev.