Topuria and Makhachev dispute who refused White House fight announcement

Ilia Topuria claims he was informed he would fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event, but was told hours before the announcement that Makhachev suffered an injury and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria stated he doesn't understand why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Islam Makhachev responded by saying Topuria and his team are lying, stating he accepted the fight when offered but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insists Topuria refused the fight and that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version of events. The dispute highlights conflicting accounts about who was responsible for the fight falling through. Additionally, Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce backed Sean Strickland against Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal criticizing Chimaev's style, and Dricus Du Plessis said Israel Adesanya was his most technical opponent while Strickland and Paulo Costa were his toughest.