Topuria and Makhachev dispute who withdrew from White House fight

Ilia Topuria claims he was informed hours before the White House card announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, only to be told shortly before the official reveal that Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria stated he doesn't understand why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him and called him strange. Makhachev fired back, saying he's tired of hearing fabrications from Topuria and his team, claiming he agreed to the White House fight 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. Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier have both picked Sean Strickland to defeat Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal calling Chimaev's style "sitting and smelling crotches."