Makhachev denies Topuria's claim he pulled out of White House fight

Islam Makhachev directly responded to Ilia Topuria's accusations about their failed White House fight booking. Topuria claimed he went to sleep expecting to fight Makhachev, only to be told hours before the announcement that Islam was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Makhachev countered that he accepted the fight when offered but was told the next day that Topuria demanded a huge purse and was denied, calling on Topuria to stop lying. The exchange included Makhachev posting at 4am, with a fan commenting on the late hour, to which Islam responded that it wasn't Ali Abdelaziz managing his account this time. Additionally, Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier both picked Sean Strickland to defeat Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal criticizing Chimaev's wrestling-heavy style.