Topuria and Makhachev dispute White House event fight offer and injury claims

Ilia Topuria claimed he was informed hours before the White House card announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, only to be told Makhachev suffered an injury and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Islam Makhachev responded by stating he accepted the fight when offered but was told the next day that Topuria demanded an enormous fee and was denied, calling Topuria's claims fabrications. Makhachev insisted that Topuria's own manager confirmed this version of events and accused the featherweight champion of lying. A social media exchange further revealed confusion about who was actually posting from Makhachev's account. The conflicting narratives from both camps continue to cloud the truth about what actually happened with negotiations.