Topuria and Makhachev offer conflicting accounts of White House bout collapse

Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev provided contradictory explanations for why their White House event fight didn't materialize. Topuria claimed he went to sleep knowing the bout with Makhachev was confirmed, but hours before the announcement was told Makhachev suffered an injury and he would face Gaethje instead. Makhachev countered that he agreed to the White House fight immediately when contacted, but the next day was told Topuria requested an enormous fee and was denied, with even Topuria's manager confirming this version. Makhachev stated he was tired of hearing fabrications from Topuria and his team, insisting Topuria rejected the fight and knows it. In a notable exchange, when a fan suggested Ali Abdelaziz was posting at 4 AM, Makhachev replied "Today it's not him," adding intrigue to who controls his social media. The post also included Masvidal and Pifer backing Strickland against Chimaev, and du Plessis ranking his toughest opponents.