Topuria and Makhachev dispute who rejected White House fight

Ilia Topuria claims he was initially told he would face Islam Makhachev at the White House event, but hours before the announcement was informed Makhachev was injured and he would instead fight Justin Gaethje. Topuria stated he doesn't understand why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. In response, Makhachev called Topuria's account fabricated, claiming he agreed to the White House fight but was told the next day that Topuria demanded a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted that Topuria was the one who rejected the bout. The conflicting statements add intrigue to a potential future matchup between the two champions. In related news, Jorge Masvidal and Joaquin Buckley have both picked Sean Strickland to defeat Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal criticizing Chimaev's wrestling-heavy style.