Topuria and Makhachev dispute who rejected UFC White House fight

A public disagreement has erupted between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev over who declined their proposed White House fight. Topuria claims he was told just hours before the announcement that he would fight Makhachev, but shortly before the reveal he received a call saying Islam was injured and he would instead face Gaethje. The Spanish-Georgian fighter questioned why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Makhachev responded that he's tired of Topuria's fabrications, stating he agreed to the White House fight but was told the next day that Topuria requested a massive fee and was denied. Islam insisted that Topuria refused the fight and that even his manager confirmed this. The exchange highlights ongoing tension between the two champions, with each accusing the other of avoiding the matchup.