Topuria and Makhachev dispute who turned down White House fight

Ilia Topuria claimed he was told hours before the White House event announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, but Makhachev then withdrew with an injury, leading to a matchup with Gaethje instead. Makhachev responded by denying the story, stating he agreed to the fight but Topuria requested an excessive purse and was denied. Makhachev's team confirmed that Topuria's side turned down the bout, and Islam posted at 4 a.m. clarifying his manager Ali Abdelaziz was not writing the response. The conflicting accounts have created controversy about who actually declined the potential superfight. Fans are left debating which fighter is telling the truth about the failed booking.