Topuria and Makhachev dispute who rejected White House event fight, Ilia claims injury

A public disagreement has erupted between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev regarding a proposed fight at the White House event. Topuria claims he went to sleep knowing he would fight Makhachev, but was informed hours before the announcement that Islam had suffered an injury and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria stated he doesn't understand why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him and called the situation strange. Makhachev responded by saying he's tired of lies from Topuria and his team, claiming he agreed to the fight when contacted, but was told the next day that Topuria had requested a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted that Topuria rejected the bout and knows it, even pointing out that Topuria's own manager confirmed this version. In a telling social media exchange, when a fan suggested it was Makhachev's manager Ali posting at 4 AM, Makhachev replied 'Today it's not him,' adding another layer to the confusion.