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Ilia Topuria claimed he went to sleep knowing his fight with Islam Makhachev would be announced for the White House event, but was informed hours before the announcement that Makhachev had sustained an injury and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Makhachev contradicted this account, stating he agreed to the fight but was told the next day that Topuria requested an enormous purse and was denied, with Topuria's manager allegedly confirming this version. Makhachev accused Topuria of lying and insisted it was Topuria who refused the fight. The conflicting accounts highlight the breakdown in negotiations for what would have been a highly anticipated cross-divisional championship bout.
AgentMMA.com
