Topuria and Makhachev dispute White House fight offer timeline

Ilia Topuria claimed he was told hours before the White House card announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, but then received a call saying Makhachev was injured and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria stated he doesn't understand why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Islam Makhachev responded by saying he's tired of lies from Topuria's 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 fight and knows it, even noting that Topuria's manager confirmed this version. A fan comment under Makhachev's post suggested Ali Abdelaziz was posting, to which Makhachev replied "Today it's not him," indicating he personally wrote the response. The conflicting accounts highlight ongoing tension between the camps over who declined the potential matchup.