Topuria and Makhachev publicly dispute story about White House event fight negotiations

Ilia Topuria claimed he went to sleep knowing he would fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event, only to be told hours before the announcement that Makhachev was injured and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria stated he doesn't know why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him and called the situation strange. Islam Makhachev responded by saying he's tired of hearing fabrications from Topuria and his team, claiming he accepted the White House fight but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev stated that Topuria refused the bout and knows it, with even Topuria's manager confirming the story. In a notable detail, when a fan commented at 4 AM telling Ali to go to sleep, Makhachev replied "Today it's not him," suggesting he was personally managing his account. Additionally, Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier have backed Sean Strickland against Khamzat Chimaev, with Masvidal calling Chimaev's style "sitting and smelling crotches."