Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev dispute who declined White House fight

Ilia Topuria claimed he went to bed knowing he would fight Islam Makhachev at the White House card, but was told hours before the announcement that Makhachev was injured and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria stated he doesn't know why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Makhachev responded saying he's tired of hearing fabrications from Topuria and his team, claiming he accepted the White House bout but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted Topuria was the one who declined the fight and that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version of events. In related news, Dricus Du Plessis said Israel Adesanya was his most technical opponent, while Strickland and Tavares were his toughest, with no mention of Chimaev as Du Plessis doesn't consider their brief encounter a real fight.