Topuria and Makhachev exchange conflicting accounts of White House fight negotiations

Ilia Topuria claimed he was initially told he would face Islam Makhachev at the White House event and went to sleep expecting that announcement. However, hours before the official card announcement, he received a call informing him that Makhachev had sustained an injury and he would instead fight Justin Gaethje. Topuria expressed confusion about why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him, calling him strange. In response, Makhachev stated he is tired of hearing fabrications from Topuria and his team, claiming he agreed to the White House bout when offered but was told the next day that Topuria requested an enormous fee and was turned down. Makhachev insisted that Topuria refused the fight and accused him of lying. In an unusual twist, when a fan commented at 4 AM suggesting it was Ali Abdelaziz managing the account, Makhachev replied "Today it's not him," implying he was personally responding.