Topuria and Makhachev dispute White House event fight negotiations

Ilia Topuria claimed he was informed hours before the White House event announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, but was then told Makhachev got injured and he would face Gaethje instead. Topuria expressed confusion about why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Islam Makhachev responded by calling Topuria's story fabricated, stating he agreed to the White House fight but was told Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev claimed even Topuria's manager confirmed this version, and accused Topuria of lying about refusing the fight. The exchange includes a fan comment noting it was 4 AM, to which Makhachev replied "Today it's not him," suggesting someone else manages his social media. Additionally, Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier backed Sean Strickland against Chimaev, with Masvidal criticizing Chimaev's style and Poirier refusing to comment due to dislike of Chimaev.