Topuria and Makhachev exchange accusations over failed White House fight

A public dispute erupted between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev regarding who is responsible for their fight not materializing at the White House event. Topuria claimed he went to bed knowing the fight was scheduled, only to be told hours before the announcement that Makhachev was injured and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Makhachev countered that he immediately accepted the White House fight when offered, but was told the next day that Topuria demanded a huge purse and was denied, leading to the bout falling through. Makhachev insisted that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version of events and accused Topuria of lying. In a separate post, Makhachev clarified that someone else was managing his social media account at 4 AM. Meanwhile, Jorge Masvidal and Joe Pyfer backed Sean Strickland in his upcoming fight against Hamzat Chimaev.