Topuria and Makhachev dispute details about cancelled White House fight

A social media exchange has revealed conflicting accounts about why Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev did not fight at the White House event. Topuria claims he went to bed knowing he would fight Makhachev, but was told hours before the announcement that Islam was injured and he would face Gaethje instead. He questioned why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Makhachev responded that he's tired of hearing "fabrications" from Topuria's team, stating he agreed to the fight but was then told Topuria requested a huge purse and was denied. Islam insisted that Topuria refused the fight and knows it, with even Topuria's manager allegedly confirming this version. The dispute centers on who actually turned down the proposed matchup. In a notable detail, when a fan commented on Makhachev's post at 4 AM suggesting his manager Ali was posting, Islam replied "Today it's not him," suggesting he was personally responding.