Topuria and Makhachev dispute who rejected White House fight announcement

Ilia Topuria claims he was informed hours before the White House card announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, only to be told just before the reveal that Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Makhachev countered by stating he agreed to the White House fight when contacted, but was told the next day that Topuria requested an enormous purse and was denied. Islam accused Topuria and his team of lying, noting even Topuria's manager confirmed this version. Jorge Masvidal and Orion Cosce have backed Sean Strickland over Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal calling Chimaev's style "sitting and smelling crotches." Dricus Du Plessis named Israel Adesanya as his most technical opponent and Sean Strickland and Brad Tavares as his toughest, with no mention of Chimaev as he doesn't consider their encounter a real fight.