Makhachev and Topuria trade accusations over cancelled White House fight

A public dispute has erupted between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria regarding who declined their potential White House event fight. Topuria claims he went to bed knowing the fight was agreed upon, but was called hours before the announcement saying Makhachev was injured and he would fight Justin Gaethje instead. Makhachev counters that he accepted the fight immediately when offered, but UFC declined after Topuria demanded a huge fee, with Topuria's own manager allegedly confirming this version. The lightweight champion accused Topuria of lying about the circumstances. Meanwhile, Dricus Du Plessis commented that Israel Adesanya was his most technical opponent, while Strickland and Tavares were his toughest, notably excluding Chimaev. Additionally, Jorge Masvidal and Chase Hooper both picked Sean Strickland to defeat Khamzat Chimaev.