Topuria and Makhachev exchange conflicting claims about White House fight negotiations

Ilia Topuria stated he was informed hours before the White House event announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, only to receive a call saying Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria expressed confusion about why Makhachev doesn't want the fight. In response, Makhachev claimed he accepted the White House fight offer but was told the next day that Topuria requested an enormous fee and was denied. Makhachev accused Topuria and his team of lying, stating that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version of events. When a fan commented on Makhachev's late-night social media activity, he responded that it wasn't Ali Abdelaziz posting. The conflicting accounts have created confusion about what actually transpired in negotiations.