Topuria and Makhachev trade conflicting accounts of White House fight collapse

Ilia Topuria claimed he was told hours before the White House event announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, only to learn shortly before the official reveal that Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Makhachev responded by saying he accepted the fight when offered, but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge fee and was turned down, calling Topuria's account fabrications. When asked who is telling the truth, a fan jokingly suggested it was 4 AM and Makhachev should sleep, to which Makhachev replied "It's not him today," suggesting his manager Ali Abdelaziz typically runs his account. The exchange highlights the ongoing public dispute between the two champions' camps. Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier both predicted Sean Strickland would defeat Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal mocking Chimaev's style and Poirier refusing to comment due to dislike of the Chechen fighter.