Topuria and Makhachev dispute who turned down White House fight

Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev are publicly disagreeing about who rejected a potential fight that was supposed to be announced at the White House event. Topuria claims he went to sleep knowing he would fight Makhachev, but hours before the official announcement, he was informed that Makhachev had suffered an injury and he would instead face Gaethje. Makhachev countered these claims, stating he agreed to the fight when offered, but was told the next day that Topuria requested an enormous fee and was denied. Makhachev expressed frustration at what he calls lies from Topuria and his team, insisting that Topuria himself refused the bout. The dispute has intensified the rivalry between the UFC featherweight and lightweight champions. Neither fighter's management has provided definitive clarification on the contract negotiations.