Topuria and Makhachev dispute who turned down White House fight

Ilia Topuria claimed he went to bed knowing he would fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event, but was told hours before the announcement that Makhachev was injured and he would instead fight Gaethje. Islam Makhachev responded that Topuria is lying, stating he accepted the fight but Topuria requested a huge purse and was denied. Makhachev said even Topuria's manager confirmed this version of events and accused the Georgian-Spanish fighter of dishonesty. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the lightweight champion and featherweight titleholder. Neither fighter provided definitive proof of their competing claims about who rejected the proposed matchup.