Topuria and Makhachev dispute White House event fight negotiations

Ilia Topuria claimed he was informed hours before the White House event announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, only to be told just before the reveal that Makhachev was injured and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria expressed confusion about why Makhachev would not want the fight, calling him strange. In response, Islam Makhachev stated he is tired of hearing fabrications from Topuria and his team, asserting that he agreed to the White House bout but was told the next day that Topuria had requested an enormous purse and was denied. Makhachev claimed even Topuria's manager confirmed this version of events. A fan commenting at 4 AM prompted Makhachev to clarify that he was personally writing the response. The conflicting accounts highlight significant disagreement between the two camps about what actually transpired during negotiations.